Beatlemania was first released in mono only in late November, 1963. It was the first Beatles' album released in North America beating Vee Jays' "Introducing The Beatles" by two weeks and the U.S. Capitols' "Meet The Beatles" by three weeks.
The Canadian release was pressed by RCA for Capitol. It came in a Parr's marked cover with a Pathe inner sleeve. The initial pressing had the matrix numbers XEX 447 & XEX 448. Later pressings had matrix numbers that ended with a -2 and higher.
The initial pressing is a desirable collectible and copies of this album in Excellent to Near Mint are highly prized by Canadian and International collectors.
This L.P. was pressed from late 1963 through 1987 on a variety of Capitol labels producing numerous variations. In addition to the initial pressing other pressings that draw collector interest include an early 1966 pressing with a side two -5 matrix with unbanded tracks 5 and 6. Other desirable pressings include the 1970-1971 pressing on the red target label, the early 1983 Cinram stereo pressing for its' rarity, the 1983-1987 Columbia true stereo pressing for its' audio quality. Finally, certain 1980-1983 purple label pressings are prized by collectors their "wide true stereo" audio. For the latter only copies with matrix numbers ST 6051 A & ST 6051.B. are "wide stereo" versions.
Until recently it was believed that Beatlemania was not released on Capitols' lime green target label used between 1970-1971. However, in recent years several copies have surfaced and the rare variation is discussed in this blog:
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