A Hard Day's Night
(US Format)

LP.6366.UA3.1 is quite similar to the two previous tan label variations, but features a different perimeter print ending with "...TRADE MARKS REG'D". This label variant seems to have a been a short-lived label change that happened just before switching to the more common "UNDER AUTHORIZATION" tan variant found until 1977 (see LP.6366.UA4.1 and LP.6366.UA4.2).

Availability

This second tan variation was available for a short time around late 1972 when the label perimeter text changed to a shorter disclaimer. It is not certain how long this label design was used, but it seems to have been for only a few months. Counter verification in the UA catalogue seemingly shows only a handful of albums from 1972 with this variant.

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.

Pressing Information

United Artists had seemingly moved its pressing operations from Compo towards RCA by 1972. 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 the new RCA small matrix number on both sides, for the first time, indicating it came after the "ONLY" variant from 1971-1972, and before the "Under Authorization" variant of 1973 that continued with the same small numbers until 1978:

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

Cover

The jacket of this variation was still built with the traditional back slick construction, but the manufacturing information on the back was changed to a "non-Willowdale" text.

This new cover also has a new added printer's logo on the spine (Ever Reddy)

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 first tan label variation (LP.3366.UA3.1) is found with the older version 2, with the angled and curved 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.