Rex

UK label. For the US polka label, please use Rex Records (5). "The King Of Records" first appeared in September 1933. It was a quality record at a cheap price (1/-) produced by The Crystalate Gramophone Record Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and sold in Marks & Spencer's stores. The catalogue series started at 8001, reaching over 10220 by February 1948 when the last ones appeared. An Irish Series sported a suitably green label and a U-series catalogue, intended for the Northern Ireland (Ulster) market. The matrix series started (for some reason) at F-500. American masters from ARC were liberally used, generally under pseudonyms such as Hollywood Dance Orchestra or Ed Lloyd and his Band (for dance records). Jay Wilbur was the studio director, but top name bands were also featured, such as Jack Payne, Charlie Kunz, Billy Cotton, Brian Lawrance and Jack Simpson. In March 1937, Decca took over Crystalate and the F- matrix series changed to R- with the same numbering.