The White Album Apple SWBO-101

This double L.P. was initially released in November, 1968 and contained two discs, a poster and four photographs.  Initial copies were pressed by both Compo (small pressing ring) and RCA (large pressing ring).  For the Canadian collector variations of this release can be a challenge to identify as they often contain a mixture of Canadian and U.S. parts. Further, the mixture of parts creates a challenging release timeline.  

Unique Canadian designed Apple label

Some initial pressings were released with a uniquely Canadian designed Apple glossy label.  These copies had an embossed title "The Beatles" on the cover, but no number. 

At the same time other copies of the same discs were released in U.S. imported jackets with the embossed title "The Beatles" and a high number on the cover. 

While these early Canadian sleeves usually came with thicker and larger Canadian printed photographs they can also be found with either a U.S. poster or Canadian poster. 

At the same time Canadian copies with a US designed label were released in U.S. numbered jackets and could have either Canadian or U.S. photographs and poster.

The mixing of components confuses a lot of Canadian collectors who see the number on the jacket and assume they are looking at a U.S. pressing.  Also, some collectors mistakenly assume a Canadian pressing in a numbered jacket is a "first" pressing and a cover without a number is a later issue as was the U.S. pattern. Further, Canadian copies pressed by RCA with a large deep pressing ring are occasionally miss-identified by American collectors as U.S.  "contract" pressings.   

From 1973 to 1975 Canadian copies of this album were pressed by Columbia which had a large thin pressing ring. Some of these discs came in embossed covers with no numbers while others came in U.S. numbered covers. Almost all came with U.S. photographs and poster.  Again this Canadian numbered copy is often sold in the U.S. as a U.S. pressed "contract" copy.

Apple SBW0-101 Canadian variations release order:

• Nov/1968 - pressed by compo with a small pressing ring, unique Canadian designed glossy label with unnumbered Canadian cover or imported U.S. numbered cover. Canadian poster and photographs on thick paper. 

• Nov/1978 - pressed by Compo with unique smaller Canadian cover.  Unnumbered Canadian cover, U.S. designed label, Canadian poster and photographs on thick paper.   

•  Nov/1978 - same as above except pressed by RCA with large pressing ring.

• Nov/1968 - U.S. designed label in U.S. imported high numbered cover.  Cover numbers are preceded by an "A" or "No".  Covers seem to be from Capitol's Scranton plant. U.S. with a U.S. censored poster and Canadian photographs. Pressed by Compo

• Nov/1968 - same as above except pressed by RCA with large pressing ring.

• 1972 - Pressed by Compo using the original Canadian designed label, but with a matte finish. Canadian unnumbered cover with poster and Canadian or U.S. photographs

• 1973 - Pressed by Columbia for Capitol. Large thinner pressing ring.  Used a mixture of Canadian and U.S. parts. Could be in unnumbered Canadian cover or high numbered U.S. covers. Most copies came with a U.S. poster and photographs.  This issue with a numbered sleeve is often incorrectly mistaken as a U.S. contract copy and as such commands a premium. 

Of all the pressing between 1968 and 1975 the most valuable copy is the initial Compo pressing with the unique Canadian designed Apple label. A complete set (discs, inner sleeves, photographs and posters) in Excellent to NM condition has a value of $80 to $150. 
The 1973-1975 Columbia pressing in NM condition sells for approximately $80.

Current values from Popsike.

Current values from ValueYourMusic