Research Craft

Los Angeles, CA pressing plant, in operation from the 1940's until the early '80's. Known to have non-exclusively pressed for Monarch Record Mfg. Co.).

Identification:
From about 1956 to 1965, the runout sections of LP pressings by the plant carried the stamped notice U.S.PAT.# RE 23,946 G B PAT.# 713,418. These were patents held by Allan R. (Al) Ellsworth, president of Research Craft for much of the 1950's and 1960's, and general manager in the mid-'60's. they pertained to the manufacture of phonograph records which provided for a raised surface on the outer edge of the record and around the label area to prevent damage to the playing surface. U.S. Patent RE 23,946 was issued Feb. 17, 1955 (and was itself a reissue of Patent 2,631,859 which had been issued March 17, 1953 and seen on the center labels of Harvest, showing it on 45's until its 1983 demise), and G.B. Patent 713,418 was issued on Aug. 11, 1954.

Research Craft Lp pressings made during its ownership by Liberty, and subsequently by United Artists, can be identified by a uniform, slightly chamfered pressing ring of 2.875" diameter (resembling the Monarch pressing ring), and label typesetting from The Bert-Co Enterprises. Additional runout identifiers may include an "-Re" suffix (for "Research Craft") at the end of the runout matrix string.

Research Craft pressings made from 1978 to 1981, after its purchase by Capitol Records, may also have "CA" etched after the matrix string (for Capitol Industries, Inc.).