I Am The Platypus - The Australian Beatles Records Archive

Australian Beatles labels often differ in small but significant ways. This guide explains which differences qualify as distinct typesetting variations, how a label’s generic base and record-specific text work together, and why the simple movement of an unchanged typesetter block does not constitute a variation.

The generic base (see accompanying image) is the standard label design. It includes the label name and logo, legal text and other elements that appear on every label regardless of what the release is.

The typesetter block (mouseover accompanying image) contains the record-specific information, such as the title, track listing, artist name and catalogue number. This text was typeset separately and printed on the generic base later. Differences in the typesetter block—for example, font, letter case, style, kerning or content—can constitute a variation, but a simple 'shift' of the block does not.

Please visit the LP Label Typesetting page for more detail on how labels were printed.

If the entire block has merely moved while all its internal elements remain unchanged, the labels are NOT separate variations. Mouseover accompanying image to see what is NOT a variation, but merely a shift in position.

What does constitute a variation
The following are examples of genuine variations. Each involves a change within either the typesetter block or base label layout, not just a simple shift in position.

Understanding Variations