Columbia Stereo Tapes were first offered in 1958 in 2-track editions. (1) An early catalog listed 66 tapes from Sammy Kaye, Leonard Bernstein, and West Side Story original cast. Prior to the introduction of high speed duplicating machines, early 2 track tapes were duplicated in real time. Pastmasters lists all Columbia 2 track tapes with the last one listed being THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN with Andre Kostelanetz (GCB152). 2-track tapes were discontinued in 1962.
Columbia introduced four track tapes in 1962(?). The first four track tape listed was CQ300 (Johnny Mathis? Greatest Hits). Tape numbers were sequential through MQ1197? with CQ for Popular, MQ for Masterworks (Classical), and OQ for Original Cast. All ?Q? tapes were 7 1/2ips, not just classical. Eventhough they were duplicated at higher speeds, many are excellent. Unfortunately, it?s not possible to tell if a particular release was duplicated early (tend to be much better quality) or late in the Columbia House years.
In about 1972, Columbia started duplicating all popular tapes at 3 ? while continuing to release both classical and Original Cast at 7 1/2ips. Columbia stopped releasing any new issues on open reel in mid 1973. In August 1974, Columbia stopped offering reel tapes entirely except through the Columbia Tape Club. Although they considered releasing Dolby Quadraphonic tapes, none ever materialized.
Thought one of the best late Columbia tapes was Bernstein's Mass.
Sometime in the 60s, Columbia started offering reel to reel tapes through it?s Tape Club, Columbia House. Although this brought tapes from many labels not otherwise available, almost all popular tapes were 3 ?. I have found a couple of popular tapes that were mistakenly(?) duped at 7 1/2ips. From Columbia House such labels as Geffen, MCA, Polydor, United Artist, Arista, in addition to Columbia and Epic after Columbia stopped offering tapes for retail sale. Except in a few cases, all classical tapes were released at 7 1/2ips from Columbia House from Columbia (then CBS), Columbia/Melodyia, London, Nonesuch, Vanguard, and Vox.
For the most part, all Columbia House made tapes start with the number 1R1 or R11. Unfortunately, some tapes offered by Ampex, GRT or Stereotape at 7 1/2ips and/or Dolby were available through Columbia House at 3 3/4 at much poorer quality. At the same time, several tapes were only ever available through Columbia House, e.g Three Dog Nights and many London Solti recordings. Remarkably, Columbia House continued to offer reel tapes until 1983. Interestingly, tapes made in last 3 ? years are of excellent quality exhibiting a much higher quality reproduction with a brighter presence using a noticeably better tape. This applies to both classical and popular.
Hope this helps.
(1) Pastmasters,
www.pastmasters.us/2track/columbia.html.