The Beatles' Story

LP.2222.1.2 is the X pressing of The Beatles' Story in Canada. This variation was issued in both mono and stereo but these are documented separately (see LP.2222.XX). This pressing is recognized by its rainbow Capitol label with no brackets around the word “CANADA” in the perimeter print, as well as by XXXXX.

Availability

This variation was available between DATE, and DATE (for approximately X months) when the DETAIL changed - (see LP.2222.XX).

General Information

Rainbow “no brackets” labels are found on the earliest of Beatles pressings (between November 1963 and July 1966). Canadian operations being smaller than south of the border, these early pressings are usually of high quality, sounding dynamic and their deep grooves being less prone to scratches affecting the sound.

Pressing Information

Capitol of Canada subcontracted the RCA pressing plant in Smiths Falls (Ontario) to manufacture this batch of pressings. RCA Toronto cut a set of lacquers from master tapes sent from XXXX (source: P. Hemmingsen, The Beatles’ Canadian Discography part. 2 and 3). These lacquers were then used to create many different generations of stampers in the years to come

LP.2222.1.2 has markings as follows:

Side 1: XXXXXX
Side 2: XXXXXX

These pressings feature a 70 mm deep-groove pressing ring, a hallmark of early RCA Canadian manufacture. Labels feature the"no brackets" rainbow label (see perimeter print at the bottom of the label: "MFD. IN CANADA BY CAPITOL RECORDS OF CANADA" with no brackets around the word CANADA).

Cover

Starting in April 1964, the inner seams (the inside fold of the cardboard jacket) have a straight seam (instead of a curved seam) and measures 10 mm high.

Covers up to the mid 70s used a “front slick” construction (a larger back slick, usually printed in black and white that wrapped around the front of the cardboard cover, onto which a smaller colour front slick was glued, creating a white frame effect all around the front image).

Both slicks were printed by Parr's Litho in Toronto and assembled onto the cardboard frame by Modern albums. The distinctive Canadian Parr's logo appears on the front cover.

Packaging

These pressings were usually shipped in a tight shrink wrap.

These were sold with / without a red and white Capitol / Pathé paper LP inner sleeve (apparently designed by Paul White).

Sales

Sales records show that XXXX copies of The Beatles' Story sold in Canada in DATE-DATE (source: P. Hemmingsen, The Beatles’ Canadian Discography part. 3).