Lyrita Recorded Edition

USE Lyrita AS RECORD LABEL. British classical record company founded in 1958 by Richard Itter, specializing in the works of British composers. Some releases in the 1960's were only available by special order to the Label. From 1959, Lyrita UK vinyl releases were almost always pressed by DECCA in England. These are easily identified by the typically neat, stamped matrix numbers in the runouts. Early sleeves were of the ‘flipback’ type, but these were phased out in the 1970’s. Both the early sleeve type, and their immediate successors, are laminated on the front only. In 1979, DECCA moved their pressing to the Netherlands; a few Lyrita releases were issued – still identifiable by their stamped matrix numbers, but with labels printed ‘Made In Holland’, and with an additional raised lip around the circumference of the label. Later in 1979, Lyrita returned its pressing to England and began using the Nimbus pressing service. Again, these releases and represses are easily recognised, this time, by small hand-etched matrix numbers and NIMBUS ENGLAND stamped in the runout. Around this time, or perhaps slightly earlier, sleeve production changed to a new design with an unlaminated, ‘silky’ finish. Finally, Lyrita began to press their own records, and these are identified by large, hand-etched matrix numbers in the runout, similar in style to many hand-etched US runouts. These pressings were always issued in the later, ‘silky’, type sleeve. According to the information I have, Lyrita stopped all vinyl pressing in 1985. Distribution UK distribution was handled exclusively by Conifer Records from 1st January 1981.