![Image](https://i.imgur.com/sVO4NCD.jpg)
I bought the Greek course on the left in 1982. It's the old "series 2" with 50 chapters. The textbook was first published in 1967 (but printed in 1981). The audio is on 4 cassettes, copyright 1975. The textbook is a blue hardcover. There were 2 other paperback books - plain white covers - "Explanatory Notes" & "Vocabularies & Notes on Pronunciation", and 2 plain white leaflets, "Student's Instructions" & "Practice Material". It came in a grey vinyl case; and cost £118 - a fair sum in 1982 - paid in instalments.
In many ways it looks very like the format of the Russian course that Seneca mentions upthread (3 Jan 2018) - hardcover textbook with flag on the dustjacket. But I see that that course - despite being on records - appears to be a "series 3" course. 30 lessons, and the first one is called "аэропорт".
This seems to be the same course as the Russian one I've just bought new from Linguaphone - picture on the right. The published date is 1971 ("Transferred to Digital Printing 2004"). It came on 8 CDs, with 4 books - textbook, handbook, spoken practice, and written practice; and a rather useless generic Study Guide. It came in a translucent plastic case.
I see there's a Russian course on ebay right now: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Linguaphone-Institute-Language-Kit-Russian-English-Books-21-LPS-Records-RARE/113539095669?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649. Although the advertiser states its publication year is "around 1960", the "blurred" chapter list suggests it's also a series 3, same as the one I've just bought.
My middle picture is a Greek course I bought in 2008 (for about £270). Its publication date is 1983 (though also "transferred to Digital Printing 2004"). Also 8 CDs. Blue plastic case. Books: all the new style orange & white - Textbook, Handbook, Spoken Exercises, Study Guide (more detailed & more specifically for Greek course), and Alphabet book (the Russian course could have done with one of these!).
As I've only just bought the Russian course, I can't say much about it yet, though it looks OK. The book print quality isn't quite as good as the newer Greek set; the 8 CDs are squeezed into a single fat case, whereas the Greek ones came in individual jewel cases; the Greek course was 25 years old when I bought it, whereas this one is 48 years old. However, I'm looking forward to it!
As to comparisons of the two Greek courses - I agree with others' comments. The older series 2 course has more "academic" explanations & fine detail; the small print means it covers a lot more than size comparison would suggest; and the combination of books (e.g. separate book of vocabularies/pronunciation/dictionary) suits me better. But the content is obviously rather out-of-date now; the bigger print of the newer course is easier; and the new course is monotonic.
Overall I'm very glad I've got both. Anyone know where I can get a series 2 Russian course? (seeing as the ebay offering does not actually seem to be from 1960 after all!).