OPEN UNIVERSITY

 

The record label of the Open University.  The Open University, a government-funded distance-learning organization with an open admissions policy, was established in 1969.  Its teaching materials originally included television programmes, written material and audio recordings; latterly these were joined by computer software.  It appears that most of the O.U.'s records were LPs, but there were several 7" EPs as well.  'First You Crawl Then You Walk' (OU-18; 1974) included music alongside interviews with various graffiti artists, and came with a four-page insert.  There were also multiple sets dealing with 'The First Years Of Life' (OU-46/47/48; 1977) and The Pre-School Child (OU-49/50; 1977).  The OU-00 series was common to 12" and 7" recordings alike.  The label design seems to have varied, but the Open University's 'Spot-on-a-shield' logo was a constant.  The label of the 'First You Crawl...' EP was mid-blue with white (or silver?) printing; it featured the University's logo and had 'THE OPEN UNIVERSITY' in a small plain font just above the spindle hole.   Pressing of that EP was by Lyntone; some of the other records were pressed by Phonodisc.  The few 7" Open University records that I have happened upon so far are listed below.  Thanks to John Timmis for the first scan.

Copyright 2010 Robert Lyons.