Overview

First released in Australia in November 1976, The Beatles Tapes remained available through several changes of packaging and company identification. Its local history eventually extended beyond vinyl to a two-volume CD release in April 1991.

Three Australian packaging variations have been identified. The earliest, A1, included an eight-page stapled booklet attached to the inner sleeve, with the rear cover stating “Manufactured and Distributed in Australia under licence”. The second, A2, retained the attached booklet but changed the rear-cover wording to “Distributed in Australia by Phonogram Pty. Limited”.

The third variation, A3, replaced the attached booklet with two separate four-page photographic inserts, one in each LP pocket. Although the photographs remained the same, their page order changed. The rear cover now included the wording “…Made in Australia by PolyGram Records Pty. Limited,…”, while the catalogue number appeared at the upper right of the inner-right gatefold and on both inserts.

Each packaging version contains records with corresponding label details, allowing the sleeves and discs to be considered together when identifying a copy. None of the Australian variations included the poster supplied with the British edition.

Click the sleeve image above to view the inner gatefold, and visit the Booklet page for scans of the accompanying material.