A Hard Day's Night
(US Format)

This variation is identical in every way to LP.6366.UA2.1, but has added Record Club information on the back cover. United Artists had just turned to a tan label with its new abstract logo, typical of the 1970s. This first variation has perimeter print that ends with "UNDER LICENCSE ONLY.", and the length of the text aligns with the catlaog number on the left side (later variations have diferent perimeter print). These RCA Dynaflex pressings (LP.6366.UA2.2) come with a record club designation on the back cover.

Availability

This variation was available approximately between 1971 and 1972, after which the label perimeter text changed once again to "REG'D".

General Information

The tan label variations were found in many forms between 1971 and 1978, all having subtle but distinctive differences. They can be considered similar to the orange Capitol labels in both era and type of evolution. The perimeter text is what defines most variation differences. Seven variations have been documented on the tan label; early variations with the "ONLY" perimeter text show different matrix etchings than earlier pressings, indicating that pressing operations probably moved to RCA at this time, coinciding with the introduction of their new Dynaflex technology.

The label then shortly changed to a "REG'D" perimeter print in 1972 before quickly changing again to the "AUTHORIZATION" version that lasted until 1978. Finally, the tan label was last seen on Capitol pressing made at their new Mississauga plant, after which labels design changed to its final incarnation on a UA label: the sunrise label in 1978.

This variations was the RECORD CLUB copy and had Record Club markings on the back cover (on the left side below the UA logo).

Pressing Information

United Artists seemingly moved its pressing operations from Compo towards RCA, coinciding with its new Dynaflex technology introduced in 1971. The authors consider this to be a Dynaflex pressing because new matrix etchings consistent with RCA markings were introduced at this time. This pressing features a new small matrix number on the A side (the new number), and the previous larger number on the B side. It is probable that the older B-side Compo-made masters were reused at RCA for this early new batch of records:

Side 1: UAS-6366-A R2 (small)
Side 2: UAS-6366-B-1A (large)

Cover

The jacket of this variation was still the traditional back slick construction, but the manufacturing information on the back was changed from the previous "Lachine" black square to the newer "Willowdale" square because Compo moved its head office to MCA's Willowdale headquarters (still keeping pressing operations in Cornwall).

There were five different jacket construction types (differentiated by the shape of the cardboard inner seam - where the parts of the cardboard frame are joined inside the jacket). This tan label variation (LP.3366.UA2.2) can be found with version 5 with the wide straight inner seam.

Version 1 – Straight-cut with rounded outer edges

Version 2 – Angled and curved inner seams

Version 3 – Narrow straight-cut inner seams

Version 4 – Seamless construction

Version 5 – Wide straight-cut inner seams

Packaging

These tan label pressings were wrapped in a tight shrink wrap, and the discs were housed in a rounded paper inner sleeve.