Syd Barrett
U.K.
Vinyl Singles Discography

1. Catalog Numbers: Catalog numbers are the letters and numbers assigned to a particular record, and can be found printed on the cover, label, and matrix of the records.

2. Matrix Information: Matrix information is the letters and numbers etched into the vinyl near the label in the runoff groove at the end of each side of a record. Matrix information may include:
   1. Catalog number.
   2. Side number.
   3. Lacquer master number.
   4. Stamper letter. (usually found at the 3 o'clock position)
   5. Mother number. (usually found at the 9 o'clock position)
   6. Record pressing plant.
   7. The engineer who cut the lacquer.

   Example: The matrix information, SHAR 5009 A-1 G 1, found on side one of the Syd Barrett-Octopus single indicates:

   1. SHAR 5009 A-1 is the lacquer master number
   2. G is the stamper letter
   3. 1 is the mother number

   Stampers are made from the Mothers. Mothers are made from the lacquers. And the lacquers are cut from the master tapes.

   Stamper Codes: The stamper codes used by Columbia/EMI Records is based on "Gramophone Ltd." and are as follows:

   G=1
   R=2
   A=3
   M=4
   O=5
   P=6
   H=7
   L=8
   T=9
   D=0
   

   Example: A record with a "G" stamper letter indicates that the record was made from the first stamper. Later pressings may have stamper numbers in combination, such as "AL" which means 38.

   ***The matrix information listed in this discography is not complete. This is known matrix information only. If you have a record with matrix information that is not listed here, please send me the information!***

3. Record Pressing Plants - All EMI Records in the 1960s through the 1980s were pressed at their Uxbridge Road pressing plant in outer London, known as the EMI Village. These vinyl pressing plants were closed down in the early 1990s and everything since then has been subcontracted out.

4. Scan codes: Scan codes on picture sleeves made their appearance in the early 1980s, either in 1980 or 1981.

5. Tax stamps: The letters KT which are often found on early pressings of British records is a tax stamp. This tax was a purchase tax that was imposed by the British government on the manufacturers of records, and was based on wholesale prices at a rate of 27 1/2% in 1967 (it was increased to 50% on March 20, 1968). The purchase tax was replaced by a value added tax (VAT) on March 31, 1973. The KT tax stamp can be found in the runoff grooves of singles from 1967 and 1968. A record with a KT stamp indicates that the tax was paid. Beginning in 1969, tax stamps were no longer put on records although the tax was still imposed.

1. Syd Barrett
   1. Octopus / Golden Hair (Harvest Records promo)
   2. Octopus / Golden Hair

Title: Octopus / Golden Hair (Harvest Records promo)
Picture/Title Sleeve: None.
Record Company: Harvest Records
Catalog Number: HAR 5009
Matrix Information: (side 1 / side 2)
1) SHAR 5009 A-1 G 1 KT / SHAR 5009 B-1 G 1 KT (both stamped)
Release Date: November 14, 1969
Release Information: Promotional release with Barrett's name spelled "Syd Barratt" on the label.
Description:
Labels: Yellow / green Harvest promo labels with a large black A on side 1. At the bottom of the label, it says "Made in GT Britain." Issued with a punchout center with small spindle hole that could be punched out to fit a 45 adapter.
Above the center hole on each side, it says:

Text around the bottom edge of the label starts at 8 o'clock and says:

Title: Octopus / Golden Hair
Picture/Title Sleeve: None.
Record Company: Harvest Records
Catalog Number: HAR 5009
Matrix Information: (side 1 / side 2)
1) SHAR 5009 A-1 G 1 KT / SHAR 5009 B-1 G 1 KT (both stamped) [L1]
2) SHAR 5009 A-1 G 1 KT / SHAR 5009 B-1 R 1 KT (both stamped) [L2]
3) SHAR 5009 A-1 R 1 KT / SHAR 5009 B-1 G 1 KT (both stamped)
Release Date: November 14, 1969
Description:
Sleeve: [front] [back] Brown Harvest Records sleeve.
Labels #1: Yellow / green Harvest labels. "KT" stamped on the side 2 label.
Labels #2: Yellow / green Harvest labels. No "KT" stamped on either label.
Text around the top edge of the label starts at 10 o'clock and says:

Text around the bottom edge of the label starts at 8 o'clock and says: