Beatles'65

LP.2228.2.2 is the fifth mono pressing of Beatles'65 in Canada, appearing in July 1966. The label is the same "rainbow brackets" design as LP.2228.2.1, but the record was once again pressed from USA-supplied plates: the matrix numbers are machine-stamped and carry the triangular IAM logo, from a later generation of American stampers than the ones used in December 1964.

Availability

This variation was available between July 1966, and mid 1968 (for approximately two years) when the mono format was phased out in Canada. Copies with the catalogue number printed sideways on the front cover circulated during the same period (see LP.2228.2.3). This is the most common of the brackets mono variations.

General Information

In mid 1966, Capitol Records of Canada was reincorporated as CAPITOL RECORDS (CANADA) LTD. From this point on (July 1966), all new labels would feature the new corporate information (known as the "brackets label"). This rainbow label design remained in use until Capitol changed its design in favour of the green target label (see LP.2228.4.1).

The return to USA stampers after a year and a half on the Canadian GN master is unusual. Capitol of Canada seems to have ordered a fresh set of parts from the USA (with a new set of numbers) rather than cut a new local lacquer, perhaps because the album was by then a low-volume catalogue title that did not justify the expense. Whatever the reason, all remaining mono pressings of Beatles'65 were made from these later American stampers.

Mono was phased out of the regular catalogue in mid 1968, making LP.2228.2.2 (and its sideways-number twin LP.2228.2.3) the last Canadian mono pressings of Beatles'65.

Pressing Information

As with all previous variations, Capitol of Canada subcontracted the RCA pressing plant in Smiths Falls (Ontario) to manufacture this batch of pressings. These copies were pressed from USA-supplied plates (sent from Capitol's Scranton pressing plant), of a later generation than those of LP.2228.1.1. USA plates are recognized by their machine-stamped matrix numbers, and parts that originate from the Scranton pressing plant feature the triangular IAM (International Association of Machinists) logo; each American plant had its own distinctive logo.

LP.2228.2.2 now has markings as follows:

Side 1: T1-2228-P25  
Side 2: T2-2228-T26  

Other combinations of USA stampers most likely exist; please report any different markings.

These pressings feature a 70 mm deep-groove pressing ring, a hallmark of early RCA Canadian manufacture. Labels feature the "brackets" rainbow label (see perimeter print at the bottom of the label: "MFD. IN CANADA BY CAPITOL RECORDS (CANADA) LTD." with brackets around the word CANADA).

Cover

The jacket for LP.2228.2.2 features an identical build to its predecessor: the inner seams (the inside fold of the cardboard jacket) are still cut straight and measure 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 Print and Litho in Toronto and assembled onto the cardboard frame by Modern Albums. The back cover still carries the "Also Available in Stereo" notice.

Packaging

Copies of LP.2228.2.2 were packaged with a tight shrink wrap.

These were sold with / without the red and white Capitol / Pathé "ATTENTION" paper LP inner sleeve.

Sales

Records show that sales for this album were declining sharply by this point, with 6,376 copies sold in 1966 (this includes variations LP.2228.1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4) and only 2,620 in 1967 (variations LP.2228.2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) (source: P. Hemmingsen, The Beatles’ Canadian Discography part. 3, "Sales of Beatles Records in Canada"). No figures are available for 1968, but considering the steady decline, even fewer copies would have sold in the last months of the mono era. Over its first four years, Beatles'65 therefore sold a total of 151,152 copies in Canada (1964 to 1967), all formats combined: these Capitol figures are per title, not per format, so from July 1965 they also include the reel-to-reel tape (see RE.2365.1.1).