I Am The Platypus - The Beatles Australian Records Labelography

UK 1981 Mono Albums

Many Beatles collectors are aware that, in August 1982, EMI UK reissued the original 10 Beatles mono albums as a box set, primarily for export. What is less well known is that the LPs had first been issued individually in July 1981, using, in most cases, original 1960s tube cuts.

It was shortly before July 1981 that EMI UK advised EMI (Australia) of the forthcoming releases and offered the option of importing the albums, manufacturing them locally, or passing on them altogether. EMI (Australia) chose to import the albums, bringing in approximately 500 copies of each title.

The albums were distributed to department stores and record shops with a street date of 27 July 1981, although Beatles For Sale and Yellow Submarine were not available until a few weeks later. All copies had sold by the end of 1981, and no further quantities were imported by EMI (Australia), although buyers could still order them independently through their local record store.

It would be another 13 months before EMI UK issued the albums as a box set. By that time, many of the LPs had received new solid-state recuts by Harry T. Moss.