FORMAT RELEASE DATE SIDE 1 MATRIX SIDE 2 MATRIX PARTS
MONO 17 Feb 1966 XEX 579-1 XEX 580-1 UK*
STEREO 17 Feb 1966 YEX 178-2 YEX 179-2 UK
STEREO ~1967 YEX 178-3 YEX 179-3 UK
STEREO Early 1972 YEX 178-2 YEX 179-3 UK
STEREO ~1972 YEX 178-3 YEX 179-3 UK
STEREO ~1972 YEX 178-3 YEX 179-3 AU
STEREO Mar 1979 YEX 178-3 YEX 179-5 AU
STEREO 1982 YEX 178-3 YEX 179-3 AU/UK
STEREO 16 Jun 1983 YEX 178-4 AP YEX 179-6 AP AU
STEREO 14 Nov 1988 PCSO 3075D-A
PB EMIDISC DMM
PCSO 3075D-B
PB EMIDISC DMM
AU
* Popularly referred to as the loud cut; quickly replaced by 579-4 / 580-4 in the UK but retained in Australia.

A somewhat confusing list for stereo pressings! It appears that around 1967, EMI (Australia) introduced UK -3/-3 cuts then reverted side 1 back to the UK -2 cut in the early 1970s. Around 1972 both sides were recut locally, retaining the -3/-3 lacquer numbers. Perhaps EMI (Australia) was confused, but subsequent pressings up until 1983 have been confirmed with either UK, AU, or a mix of both, -3 cuts. An Australian cut can be identified by a taller and narrower font than that used on original UK pressings.
RUBBER SOUL
Parlophone PMCO 1267 (MONO) / PCSO 3075 (STEREO)
MATRIX INFORMATION

Machine Stamped - Hand Written
ORIGIN CODE CIRCULATED SLEEVE DETAILS
AUST A1 Feb 1966 Mono & stereo catalogue numbers; flipback sleeve
AUST A2 Dec 1969 Stereo catalogue number only; non-flipback sleeve
AUST A3 Nov 1988 “DIGITALLY REMASTERED” footer on rear cover
SLEEVE INFORMATION
YELLOW/BLACK stereo
AU3075S3
Feb 1969
ORANGE 1-BOX A
AU3075S5A
Q2 1969
ORANGE 1-BOX B
AU3075S5B
Oct 1978
GENERAL ALBUM INFORMATION
Quality of sleeve imagery on the Australian sleeve is of an overall inferior quality right from its first issue; and appears to worsen on later issues. This shortcoming - the result of either, or both, the photographic and printing processes - is most apparent on the front sleeve where the bridge of George Harrison's nose is over-exposed, which results in a 'hot spot' devoid of picture detail.
BLACK 1-BOX A
AU3075S6A
Apr 1982
NZ DK GREY 1-BOX
AU3075S4C
1981
BLACK 1-BOX B
AU3075S6B
Jul 1987
PAGE LAST UPDATED: 17 JULY 2022
YELLOW/BLACK mono
AU1267M1
17 Feb 1966
'BANNER' STEREO
AU3075S1
17 Feb 1966
NZ YELLOW stereo
AU3075S2
1968
NZ YELLOW mono
AU1267M2
1968