Elite (3)

U.S. record label (1941-1942). This label was produced by Eli Oberstein following the failure of his United States Record Corporation and its subsidiary labels Varsity and Royale. Elite (3) was initially credited to The Imperial Record Co. (not to be confused with Imperial Record Company Inc.), but within a short time of its introduction was being credited to the Classic Record Company. By 1942 it was operating under a third identity, the Elite Record Manufacturing Co. Recording was contracted to the World Transcription studios, and pressing was contracted to Scranton Button Company. These cheaply produced records were sold by dime stores and department stores. Certain talent that signed with Eli Oberstein, including Blue Barron, Bunny Berigan and Vincent Lopez (2), were given special "Hits by..." labels. Eli Oberstein discontinued Elite (3) in 1942, following introduction of his The Hit Record label. The brand was later revived and appears mostly associated to Allegro (2): see Allegro Elite.