|
Big Hits High Tide Green Grass
Mono TXL101
Stereo TXS101
Issued in UK on November 4th 1966.
This was their first compilation LP issued in UK and it was to be the best one available in the shops up to 1975 when Rolled Gold was put out. Throught The Past Darkley had come out 1969 but that had a lot of weak songs on it so Big Hits remained a big seller for nine years. This one is interesting to collect because of the larg quantities that were manufactured over the years.
A detail to be noticed with Big Hits is that this was the first LP in the Decca family that got the new catalog numbering TXL for Mono instead of the usual LK. The colour of the label was also different, light blue insted of red. The stereo LP got TXS instead of the usual SKL and the label colour was green insted of blue
Vinyl versions
Both Mono and Stereo LP's can be found with grooved and nongrooved labels. This indicates that mono LP's were pressed up to the end on the 60's. No other differences are existing
Cover versions
There are a number of different covers existing due to the large number of LP’s produced.
First cover
The following details can be noted on the first cover version:
- Laminated cover
- Single thick cardboard front cover
- No indication on Mono or Stereo on the back cover, only on the spine
- A sixpage booklet attached to the inside of the cover
This cover was used 1966 to 1969 with non boxed Mono and Stereo LP’s
 
Second cover
The following details can be noted on the second cover version:
- Laminated cover
- Single thick cardboard front cover
- Mono / Stereo hole on the back
- A sixpage booklet attached to the inside
This cover was probably made from 1969 to 1971 and it can be found with non boxed and boxed LP’s. All boxed ones found in this cover are with the green label.
Third cover
The following details can be noted on the third cover version:
- Laminated cover
- Double cardboard front cover
- Mono / Stereo hole on the back
- No booklet attached to the inside of the cover
The difference in between the second and third cover is that the third one has this jacket for an LP in the front cover. I cannot put a manufacturing date on it but I have it together with a boxed greyish blue label. The colour of the label was probably changed in 1972.
Laminated covers was dropped from manufacturing 1974 so this would be dated 1971 to 1974. A detail to notice is that the hole on the back cover is still there even though the manufacturing of Mono LP’s had ended by 1970.
Fourth cover
The following details can be noted on the fourth cover version:
- Standard cover missing the lamination
- Double cardboard front cover
- TXS101 printed on the back
- No booklet attached to the inside of the cover during mid 70's
- The booklet pictures was addad as an insert in the late 70’s
This cover was in use from c 1974 until the end of the Decca story. It is only found with greyish blue boxed labels.
Printed By
All sleeves are "Printed in England by Robert Stace"
Label Versions
Here are some of the label version known to exist:
Mono nonboxed labels
Side 1
Side 1 / Design No 4 / Version 1 (TXL101/S1/D4/V1)
Copyright box: NCB on top of BIEM
Font: Ariel looking font style
Tax Code: K/T
Publishers: On the right side of the label
This label is used on both grooved and nongrooved pressings of the vinyl
 
Mono nonboxed labels
Side 2
Side 2 / Design No 4 / Version 1 (TXL101/S2/D4/V1)
Copyright box: NCB on top of BIEM
Font: Ariel looking font style
Tax Code: K/T
Publishers: On the right side of the label
This label is used on both grooved and nongrooved pressings of the vinyl
 
Label combinations on nonboxed Mono
Side 1 - Design No 4 / Version 1 Side 2 - Design No 4 / Version 1
(S1/D4/V1 + S2/D4/V1)
Same labelcombination on both grooved and nongrooved pressing
Stereo nonboxed labels
Side 1
Side 1 / Design No 8 / Version 1 (TXS101/S1/D8/V1)
Copyright box: NCB on top of BIEM
Font: Ariel looking font style
Tax Code: K/T
Publishers: On the right side of the label
Publishing year: On the left side of the label
Side number: On the right side of the label
Side 1 / Design No 9 / Version 1 (TXS101/S1/D9/V1)
Copyright box: BIEM and NCB on the same line
Font: Ariel looking font style
Tax Code: No tax code
Publishers: After each song
Publishing year: At the bottom of the label
Side number: On the left side of the label
This label has the matrix number above the catalogue number upside down
Side 1 / Design No 9 / Version 2 (TXS101/S1/D9/V2)
Copyright box: BIEM and NCB on the same line
Font: Ariel looking font style
Tax Code: No tax code
Publishers: After each song
Publishing year: At the bottom of the label
Side number: On the left side of the label
This label has the matrix number above the catalogue number turned the right way and not upside down. It is used on a nongrooved pressing from 1969
Stereo nonboxed labels
Side 2
Side 2 / Design No 8 / Version 1 (TXS101/S2/D8/V1)
Copyright box: NCB on top of BIEM
Font: Ariel looking font style
Tax Code: K/T
Publishers: On the right side of the label
Publishing year: On the left side of the label
Side number: On the right side of the label
Side 2 / Design No 9 / Version 1 (TXS101/S2/D9/V1)
Copyright box: BIEM and NCB on the same line
Font: Ariel looking font style
Tax Code: No tax code
Publishers: After each song
Publishing year: At the bottom of the label
Side number: On the left side of the label
Side 1 / Design No 9 / Version 2 (TXS101/S1/D9/V2)
Copyright box: BIEM and NCB on the same line
Font: Ariel looking font style
Tax Code: No tax code
Publishers: After each song
Publishing year: At the bottom of the label
Side number: On the left side of the label
This label has the matrix number above the catalogue number turned the right way and not upside down. It is used on a nongrooved pressing from 1969
Label combinations on nonboxed Stereo
Side 1 - Design No 8 / Version 1 Side 2 - Design No 8 / Version 1
(S1/D8V1 + S2/D8/V1)
Side 1 - Design No 9 / Version 1 Side 2 - Design No 9 / Version 1
(S1/D9V1 + S2/D9/V1)
Side 1 - Design No 9 / Version 2 Side 2 - Design No 9 / Version 2
(S1/D9V2 + S2/D9/V2)
Stereo boxed labels
Side 1
Side 1 / Design No 10 / Version 1 (TXS101/S1/D10/V1)
Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1970 to 1972
This green label was the first boxed version on Big Hits
Side 1 / Design No 10 / Version 4 (TXS101/S1/D10/V4)
Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1970 to 1972
This label is almost identical to Version 1. The text section is slightly bigger and the last row is almost at the lower edge of the label.
Side 1 / Design No 10 / Version 2 (TXS101/S1/D10/V2)
Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1972 and later
The color of the label was changed to greyish blue in 1972. This one has “+Electronically Re Processed...” text above the spindle hole
Side 1 / Design No 10 / Version 3 (TXS101/S1/D10/V3)
Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1972 and later
The color of the label was changed to greyish blue in 1972. This one has “+Electronically Re Processed...” under the catalogue number.
Side 1 / Design No 10 / Version 5 (TXS101/S1/D10/V5)
Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1972 and later
This label is almost identical to Version 3. GEMA is more to the right than on the previous label. Distance in between text sections is a bit different as well. Color of the picture is not right, the label is grayish blue
Side 1 / Design No 12 / Version 1 (TXS101/S1/D12/V1)
Publisihing year: On the left side of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1982
The last press of Big Hits with the classic Decca logo was made in October of 1982. This one can be identified by the “rim ring” Around the label. The vinyl is also extremely thin and very flexing. It also had the matrix numbers in handwritting on the off groove area.
No picture available of side 1
Stereo boxed labels
Side 2
Side 2 / Design No 10 / Version 1 (TXS101/S2/D10/V1)
Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1970 to 1972
This green label was the first boxed version on Big Hits
Side 2 / Design No 10 / Version 4 (TXS101/S2/D10/V4)
Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1970 to 1972
This label is almost identical to Version 1. The text section is slightly bigger and the last row is almost at the lower edge of the label.
Side 2 / Design No 10 / Version 2 (TXS101/S2/D10/V2)
Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1972 and later
The color of the label was changed to greyish blue in 1972. This one has “+Electronically Re Processed...” text above the spindle hole
Side 2 / Design No 10 / Version 3 (TXS101/S2/D10/V3)
Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1972 and later
The color of the label was changed to greyish blue in 1972. This one has “+Electronically Re Processed...” under the catalogue number.
Side 2 / Design No 10 / Version 5 (TXS101/S2/D10/V5)
Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1972 and later
This label is almost identical to Version 3. GEMA is more to the right than on the previous label. Distance in between text sections is a bit different as well. Color of the picture is not right, the label is grayish blue
Side 2 / Design No 12 / Version 1 (TXS101/S2/D12/V1)
Publisihing year: On the left side of the label
Font style: Ariel looking font
Estimated use: 1982
The last press of Big Hits with the classic Decca logo was made in October of 1982. This one can be identified by the “rim ring” Around the label. The vinyl is also extremely thin and very flexing. It also had the matrix numbers in handwritting on the off groove area.
Label combinations on boxed Stereo
Side 1 - Design No 10 / Version 1 Side 2 - Design No 10 / Version 1
(S1/D10V1 + S2/D10/V1)
Side 1 - Design No 10 / Version 4 Side 2 - Design No 10 / Version 4
(S1/D10V4 + S2/D10/V4)
Side 1 - Design No 10 / Version 2 Side 2 - Design No 10 / Version 2
(S1/D10V2 + S2/D10/V2)
Side 1 - Design No 10 / Version 3 Side 2 - Design No 10 / Version 3
(S1/D10V3 + S2/D10/V3)
Side 1 - Design No 10 / Version 5 Side 2 - Design No 10 / Version 5
(S1/D10V5 + S2/D10/V5)
Explanation on label design numbering can be found here
| 
