The book of numbers

From the linernotes of The Chiswick Records Story: "When the first Chiswick record was released, the prefix used was SW, under the misapprehension that it was the postal code for the Chiswick area of London, which lent its name to the label. As the first release was an EP, SW became the EP prefix, and a different prefix was needed for singles to act as a price code. The letter S was chosen, but when distribution moved to CBS that prefix was in use already, and NS was selected."

The distribution move to CBS happened around August 1977 when Chiswick had already issued 15 singles and EPs. Most (or all?) of these releases were re-released with the new prefix. Easy enough, right? Truth is, the change-over gave way to a myriad of tiny differences in both pressings and sleeves. First thing you'll notice is that the sleeves kept the original prefix and the change is only apparent on the labels (the
number in the run-out groove also has the old prefix up until NS 12 after which it seems that the stamps were cut Porky's instead of Lyntone). The initial releases generally came in thick laminated sleeves, but later pressings came in both thick and thin (non-laminated) sleeves as well. Below is a rundown of what I'm aware of, but I realize there will be plenty more variations (I have not included the Big Beat reissues of S 3 and S 13). Obviously I'd love to hear from you if you've got any additional info...

SW 1 Count Bishops - Speedball EP (laminated sleeve)
S 2 Vince Taylor - Brand New Cadillac/Pledging My Love (no p/s)
S 3 101'ers - Keys To Your Heart/Five Star Rock'n'Roll Petrol (thin sleeve)
NS 3 101'ers - Keys To Your Heart/Five Star Rock'n'Roll Petrol
S 4 Gorillas - She's My Gal/Why Wait 'till Tomorrow (thick flipback sleeve)
NS 4 Gorillas - She's My Gal/Why Wait 'till Tomorrow (thick sleeve)
S 5 Count Bishops - Train Train/Takin' It Easy (thick sleeve)
SW 6 Rocky Sharpe & the Razors - EP (laminated sleeve)
SW 7 Little Bop Story - EP (laminated sleeve)
S 8 Gorillas - Gatecrasher/Gorilla Got Me (thick sleeve)
NS 8 Gorillas - Gatecrasher/Gorilla Got Me (thick sleeve)
S 9 Radio Stars - Dirty Pictures/Sail Away (promo with "Sail Away" indicated by rubber-stamp as A-side)
S 9 Radio Stars - Dirty Pictures/Sail Away (laminated sleeve)
S 9 Radio Stars - Dirty Pictures/Sail Away (thick sleeve)
NS 9 Radio Stars - Dirty Pictures/Sail Away
S 10 Radiators From Space - Television Screen/Love Detective (thick sleeve)
S 10 Radiators From Space - Television Screen/Love Detective (band name on p/s in white & yellow, not just yellow)
NS 10 Radiators From Space - Television Screen/Love Detective
S 11 Skrewdriver - You're So Dumb/Better Off Crazy (orange "screw" sleeve)
S 11 Skrewdriver - You're So Dumb/Better Off Crazy (green "screw" sleeve)
NS 11 Skrewdriver - You're So Dumb/Better Off Crazy (Band pic sleeve)
S 12 Count Bishops - Baby You're Wrong/Stay Free (grey carboard sleeve)
NS 12 Count Bishops - Baby You're Wrong/Stay Free (blue/green sleeve) (A-side S12, B-side NS 12)
S 13 Motorhead - Motorhead/City Kids
NS 13 Motorhead - Motorhead/City Kids (thick sleeve)
? 13 Motorhead - Motorhead/City Kids ("record player" label)
S 13 Motorhead - Motorhead/City Kids (12")
S 14 Rings - I Wanna Be Free/Automobile
NS 14 Rings - I Wanna Be Free/Automobile (thick sleeve)
S 15 Johnny Moped - No One/Incendiary Device
NS 15 Johnny Moped - No One/Incendiary Device (thick sleeve)

UPDATE: Got this msg from Steve @ Low Down Kids: "On your blog you say "(the number in the run-out groove also has the old prefix up until NS 12 after which it seems that the stamps were cut Porky's instead of Lyntone)." I think this might be misleading for two reasons:
1. Porky's is where the mastering was done, not the making of the stampers (which would've been at Lyntone). Records without the 'Porky' ref were probably mastered at Lyntone (but not necessarily: Porky didn't ALWAYS put his name on stuff)
2. Your sentence suggests that all records after NS12 were Porky's, but the "From A Rabbit" 6", for instance - picked at random of my shelves -, doesn't mention Porky. Maybe it WAS cut by Porky and he didn't put his name on it, but that's unlikely seeing as it's a special sort of record. That one was probably mastered at Lyntone.

In other words it's probably better to avoid making the statement. It's just too fuzzy."

Thanks for pointing out the differences between Porky's and Lyntone. But I'm only refering here to these initial releases. 'From A Rabbit' is a perfect example tho' of the mess that comes with those later releaeses; for that particular 7" stampers were made at both CBS and Lyntone, and both feature a different mix...