Picture Sleeves on New Zealand 7” Singles:
Much like the records released in the USA and UK, most New Zealand 7”singles did not have picture sleeves. Unless they were a special promotional item (limited to a few dozen copies) singles came in generic, die-cut paper company sleeves. Picture sleeves did not become a common item on New Zealand 45’s until the late 70’s. Even then, the record companies did not always go to the expense of printing up picture sleeves.
7” EP’s (Extended Play Records):
Most New Zealand made EP’s came in glossy picture sleeves like a mini-album. They mostly contained 3 or 4 tracks and played at 45rpm - although not always. There are a lerge number of EP’s released in New Zealand by major artists that were not produced elsewhere. Examples are 7” EP’s by T Beatles,The Young Rascals, The Who, Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan. All are now super-rare even in NZ!
Flip-back Sleeves Explained:
I am often asked what is meant by “Flipback sleeve”. In New Zealand it is most definitely NOT a gatefold sleeve!
A flipback is the older style of manufacturing an LP sleeve. The front sleeve folds over the back and is then glued leaving a ridge along the edges. In New Zealand sleeves were made this way until 1972 when the front of the sleeve was sealed ‘inside’ the back as is common nowadays.
Some pointers to identify your records are from Australia or New Zealand.
Phonogram inner sleeve from 1975