Relics by Pink Floyd was released in 1971 on 14 May in the UK and 15 July in the United States. In order to issue some more “product” for fans, they decided to release a budget priced LP on their Starline label, combining early singles, B-sides, album tracks and one unreleased number, “Biding My Time“.
Side 1: Arnold Layne (Single A-side released 11 March 1967) / Interstellar Overdrive (From The Piper at the Gates of Dawn 1967) / See Emily Play (Single A-side released 17 June 1967) / Remember a Day (From A Saucerful of Secrets 1968) / Paintbox (Single B-side to Apples and Oranges, released 18 November 1967)
Side 2: Julia Dream (Single B-side to It Would Be So Nice, released 13 April 1968) / Careful with That Axe, Eugene (Single B-side to Point Me at the Sky, released 7 December 1968) / Cirrus Minor (From Soundtrack from the Film More 1969) / The Nile Song (From Soundtrack from the Film More 1969) / Biding My Time (Previously unreleased) / Bike (From The Piper at the Gates of Dawn 1967)
In addition to variations on the original design, the album was released in several countries with different artwork.
U.K. press:
Starline Records 1st U.K. issue. with a textured cover and “The Gramophone Co., Ltd.” on the label. Record Label: Starline Records. Catalog Number: SRS 5071
Front Cover: Nick Mason Drawing. Textured cover glued front to back with very small internal flips. The word “Starline” in on the lower right edge.
Back Cover: Song listing. Credits.
Matrix: SRS 5071 A-1 CCL / SRS 5071 B-3 AA (both stamped)
Text around the top edge of the label starts at 8 o’clock and says: The Gramophone Co. Ltd. All rights of the manufacturer and of the owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting, and copying of this record prohibited. At the bottom of the label is the EMI logo. Text around the bottom edge of the label starts at 6 o’clock and says: Made in GT Britain.
Remastered 6th U.K. issue.
Release Date: August 18, 1997. EMI Records 1997. Gatefold cover.
Storm Thorgerson created a new cover for the 1996 re-release, photographing a model inspired by the original line drawing.
Inserts: Issued with a Pink Floyd back catalog print measuring 12 X 9 inches.
Labels: Brown picture labels. EMD 1113 A-02-01 / EMD 1113 B-1-1-1 (both stamped)
Text around the left edge of the label starts at 6 o’clock and says: All rights of the producer and of the owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorized copying, hiring, renting, public performance and broadcasting of this record prohibited. Made in U.K. – LC 0542.
Australia press
Record Company: Axis Records. Catalog Number: AX-1100
Release Information: Eighth issue on Axis Records with new catalog number.
Matrix: SRS5071 A-3 OR / SRS5071 B-3 OR (both stamped, except OR written)
U.S. press
Record Label: Harvest Records 1st U.S. issue. Catalog Number: SW-759
Front Cover: Four-eyed can opener face cover. Textured.
Labels: Yellow / green Harvest labels. Capitol Records, Winchester, Virginia.
Matrix: SW-1-759-F3 (ST is crossed out and SW written) / SW-2-759-F13 (both written)
Text around bottom edge of label starts at 8 o’clock and says: Mfd. by Capitol Records, Inc., a subsidiary of Capitol Industries, Inc., U.S.A. – ® Capitol Marca Reg – U.S. Pat. No. 2,631,859.
Japan press
When Pink Floyd toured Japan in 1971 and 1972, special red obis were added to their albums. These narrow “tour obis” feature Japanese text on them that says: “Welcome.”
Gatefold cover. Y2,000 (price code H) Catalog Number: OP-80261 Odeon Records 1st issue.
Front Cover: Nick Mason drawing. In the upper right corner is STEREO and the catalog number.
Back Cover: Song titles with timings. At the bottom center is the EMI / Odeon logo.
Inside Cover: Three black and white live pictures on the inside cover, and one color picture of the band on a single page insert.
Inserts: 6-page insert with Japanese text, the catalog number, song titles in Japanese and English, a biography of Pink Floyd in English, and a discography. A Rock Bag Present Sale strip.
Matrix: SRS-5071-A 1S 1 1G / SRS-5071 1S 5 (both stamped) (Red everclean vinyl) Black Odeon labels with silver text.
Text around the top edge of the label starts at 11 o’clock says: Mfd. under license by Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd. in Japan.
Text around the bottom edge of the label starts at 10 o’clock says: Unauthorized public performance, broadcasting and copying of this record prohibited. All rights of the manufacturer and of the owner of the recorded work are reserved
Spain press
A gongdola. Title Cover. also known as the Venice Cover
Record Company: EMIDisc Records Catalog Number: 1J 048-50.740
Release Information: Fith issue.
The Spanish press is ultra rare.