Twist And Shout

Variation 2.1.3 is the third pressing and was released only in MONO. This pressing is similar to previous variations 2.1.1 and 2.1.2, but is recognized by its added dash in the catalog number (right side of the top spine, near the full black dot). The jacket is still found with the original curved inner seam construction (pre-April 1964). This pressing seems to have been pressed slightly later because it started to feature a “dash and number” in the record's dead wax matrix information (e.g. XEX 455-2 / XEX 456).

Availability

This third variation was available around late February or March 1964 (for approximately a few weeks) before the cover construction was changed to a new straight inner seam frame construction - (see entry 2.1.4).

General Information

It is not known how many copies were made in this configuration (2.1.3), or exactly when they were available, but in all likelihood, these were a few weeks after the album release, but before April 1964.

This pressing was only available in Mono, and remained as such even when Mono was phased out in 1968. In fact, no stereo release of the LP was prepared in Canada until 1976.

Pressing Information

Capitol of Canada once again subcontracted the RCA pressing plant in Smith Falls (Ontario) to manufacture the records. A new set of stampers were used for most of these copies (XEX-455-2), indicating that enough copies had been pressed with the initial stamper to wear out the plates that needed to be replaced (on side A first).

These copies also feature the "no brackets" rainbow label (see perimeter print at the bottom of the label: "Manufactured in Canada by Capitol Records of Canada" with no brackets around the word CANADA). As stated previously, it is not known exactly how many copies were prepared for early runs of pressings, but the original stampers were quickly replaced by a second set of stampers (“-2”).

Cover

The jacket for this pressing used the same curved inner seam type of construction as 2.1.1 and 2.1.2. These inner seams (the inside fold of the cardboard jacket) have a curved indentation in the centre; Modern Album used this jacket template until April 1964, at which point the inner seams were then straight. This original curved inner seam measured 10 mm high. This indicates that variation 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 were all manufactured within 2 months, before April 1964.

Covers up until 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 color front slick was glued, creating a white frame effect all around the front image).

Both front and rear slicks were printed by Parr’s Litho in Toronto and sent to Modern Album for assembly. This third variation added a dash in the catalog number on the top of the front cover. It is interesting to know that other albums from the 6000 series from this time period also originally had a missing dash in the catalog number (e.g. Miss Mills album "Everybody's Welcome To Mrs Mills' Party").

The top right features the T-6054 catalog number and a full dot denoting the Mono pressing placed just over the 6000 series logo. This third variation now has an added dash in the catalog number.

Packaging

This variation from early 1964 was also shipped in loose poly bag wrap, with or without a red and white Capitol / Pathe paper LP inner sleeve (apparently designed by Paul White).

While it could be possible some of these later copies were still sold with a hype sticker and a promotional photo, it is believed that variation 2.1.3 marked the end of the promotion.

Sales

Official numbers state that 231 523 copies were sold in all of 1964 (source: P. Hemmingsen, The Beatles’ Canadian Discography part. 3)

Variation 2.1.3 then, along with variations 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 2.1.4 constitute the core of these high sales numbers for 1964, making all versions with the hype sticker and the promotional photo much scarcer today, being the very first incarnations of the album from February 1964.