During its long active life, the "His Master's Voice" label has
> enjoyed a unique reputation with both the music business and the
> public. Over the years a healthy market has developed in collecting
> the vast array of items produced in its image. A Collectors' Guide,
> originally published in 1984, has been now updated for publication in > 1997.
> Though only used by EMI today as the marketing identity for HMV Shops
> in the UK and Europe, the "His Master's Voice" trademark is still
> instantly recognised and sits proudly and firmly in the Top 10 of
> "Famous Brands of the 20th Century".
The image did indeed enjoy a very long life on the British HMV record label from 78s through to the 45rpm era, although not quite so prominently after 1963 when EMI adopted a common black label for its HMV, Parlophone, and Columbia 45rpm labels.
Due to the use of the trademark by HMV, the image never appeared on British RCA-Victor pressings. In fact at one point when American RCA pressings were being sold here, the importers actually stuck little labels over the mark.