Polygram Classics, Inc.

A US division of PolyGram. Incorporated 4 March 1981, dissolved 6 February 1984 (administratively inactive). The parent company of the same name was incorporated on 11 February 1980 in Delaware. In 1979 Polygram (based in the Netherlands) had acquired British Decca, whose classical recordings had been marketed in the Americas and the Far East as London Records. Prior to this acquisition London (Decca) releases had been distributed since 1978 in the US by London Records, Inc. (since 1969 by its predecessors). Not to be confused with the US Decca entity Decca Records, Inc. that was acquired by MCA Inc. in 1962. Its responsibilities included the distribution of international recordings, not to be confused with PolyGram Distribution, Inc. (1978-1995) responsible for domestic distribution of some US labels within the US. Through this period US and Canadian London releases often shared packaging produced in the US. It is unclear how long such branding continued in the US for US pressings. In Canada PolyGram continued the manufacturing and distributing activities of London Records Of Canada (1967) Ltd. as PolyGram Distribution Inc. issuing releases under the London label. WWW evidence of PolyGram Classics, Inc. includes Billboard issues of Feb. 13, 1982 and Oct. 2, 1982 (page 6) announcing the creation of PSI - PolyGram Special Imports, 137 West 55th St., New York, N.Y. 10019, as a Division of PolyGram Classics, Inc. Declon Recordings, Inc. was merged into the company on 14 January 1982.