The earliest stereo labels are regarded as displaying a "33 1/3" text at the top line of the left hand side detail. The labels are also quite dark although the actual shade of green varies greatly among copies. It is also quite possible to have one side with the 1st label and the other side with a 2nd label - both varieties would seem to have been produced at a similar date.

Identical to 1A except side 4 inexplicably has the misprint "ReVOLUTION 9" on the tracklist, printed with a small 'e'. It isn't known whether this was actually the first incarnation of the label before the mistake was noticed and rectified but as there are only two copies known to us so far (including this one) it seems more likely it was a minor error made by an employee some time along the production line that was very quickly rectified.

Identical to label 1A, but we can now see the text "An EMI Recording" to the left of the labels, above the "33 1/3" text. Crucially, the "An EMI Recording" text is all on one horizontal line. This label also dates from November 1968 but is more common in stereo than label 1A.

This variation is identical to 2A except it displays the spelling error "Rocky Racoon" with only one 'c' on side 2. Like 1B's spelling error, this one was also very quickly rectified although there are quite a few more copies out there with this mistake.

Here we see the removal of the 'Sold In UK...' text from the labels. This text could be officially removed from labels after March 1969, so I presume this particular label dates from very closely around that period. The 'An EMI Recording' text is still all on one line - a feature that apparently seems to have been altered very soon after this time as this 3rd Label is rarely see, and which allows a fairly precise dating when you consider this LP was still very much in demand 4 months after initial release.

Other minor alterations are obviously the thinner, less bold text across the entire label (Cat No., tracklist, credits etc.) Also for some reason the periods after the last tracks' "NCB" credit have now all disappeared on all sides of the label; and all the asterisks indicating George's songs are now no longer flush against the song title.

See Label 4's description for more details of this one's chronology.

The only change on this 4th label is the text "An EMI Recording" is now on *TWO* lines and in parentheses: ("An EMI Recording"). Of note is the much more closely aligned (vertically) details towards the left of the labels. This is the only time the White Album labels had this compact layout.

This label is a difficult one to figure out as it is clearly more abundantly found than Label 3. Label 3 we know first appeared in March 1969, but I also believe that this Label 4 was produced simultaneously. We know the first "Yellow Submarine" labels came with this design but these appeared in January 1969 which would mean Label 3 is in the wrong place.

For now, I would argue that Labels 3 and 4 were produced simultaneously but Label 4 was either produced in far greater quantity or, simply, had a longer print run. Incidentally, one example we've been made aware of displays both Labels 3 and 4 on each of the two discs of this LP.

Appearing in the late 70s before the rimtext altered radically, this label had the tracklisting in the middle of the labels *only* with the songwriting and publishing credits below them. This made for a label that had a more open feel with a lot of space around the tracklist section. Not a commonly seen label. Also the "33 1/3", "An EMI Recording"... etc text on the left side of the labels is more vertically spaced out. This label tends to be a fairly bright, yellowish green which is an indication of its later issue.

Appearing in the late 1980's, this type is the modern label which seemed to return to the older style of label with the songwriter and publishing credits incorporated within the tracklisting. The appearance of a very large "33 1/3" is a quick giveaway for this label. The rimtext also now doesn't run all the way around the edge of the label and reads:

All Rights of the Producer and of the Owner of the Work Reproduced Reserved. Unauthorised Copying, Hiring, Renting, Public Performance and Broadcasting of this Record Prohibited.