EMI Country Codes used by vinyl records

Explanation of the EMI Country Codes:

EMI Country Codes, also known as EMI Code Numbers or EMI Catalog Numbers, were a system used by the British record company EMI (Electric and Musical Industries Ltd.) to indicate the country of origin for vinyl records. EMI was one of the major record labels and distributed music worldwide.

The EMI Country Codes were a combination of letters and numbers that were typically engraved or printed on the vinyl record label, the record sleeve, or both. These codes provided information about the manufacturing and distribution of the record, indicating the country where it was intended to be sold.

Each country that EMI operated in was assigned a specific code, which was added to the catalog number of the record. The catalog number uniquely identified the release, and the EMI Country Code provided additional information about the release's origin. This system helped EMI keep track of its releases and facilitated distribution logistics.

The EMI Country Codes varied in format and length over time, but they generally consisted of two or three letters representing the country followed by a series of numbers representing the specific release. For example, "UK" stood for the United Kingdom, "US" for the United States, "FR" for France, "DE" for Germany, and so on. Some codes also included additional letters or symbols to provide more specific information, such as "EMI" for releases from the EMI label or "LP" for vinyl LP records.

Collectors and enthusiasts of vinyl records often pay attention to EMI Country Codes as they can indicate the country of origin and potentially affect the value or desirability of a particular release. They can also provide insights into the international distribution and availability of music from different regions.