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World Tape Club

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A division of the Australian arm of World Record Club, operating from February 1967, which issued reel-to-reel tapes. Reels were always offered in two speeds - 3¾ and 7½ inches per second. The packaging was identical, with small stickers on the box and reel to denote the version. The 3¾ version typically had the smaller 5" reel, and a cardboard insert would be used to fit it into the box snugly. The first 48 reels issued had "ST" catalogue numbers, with "A" for 7½ inches per second, and "B" for 3¾. Most, if not all, of these were reissued with the new numbering system of two consecutive numbers. For example, ST1 was reissued as 8004-8005, with 8004 being the 7½" version: the insert had both numbers, and the sticker would have the single number. The new numbering system was introduced in March 1969 (although 8000-8001 may have been the reel of S/T 4415, as early as December 1967). Plastic boxes were replaced by hinged black cardboard boxes some time in 1973 (after a brief period using rather unsatisfactory white cardboard boxes with no separate lid). From this point, numbers on the spine were blacked out manually to distinguish which speed the reel was. In 1975, numbering was standardised for all WRC formats and releases - everything was given the same number, with a different prefix according to the format - "R" for LPs, "C" for cassettes, "S T" for reels. The "S" and "T" stood for S for "Seven & ½" and "Three & ¾" respectively. As before, the packaging was identical, with one or the other blacked out by hand to designate the version. After repeatedly noting a low demand from 1976 (by which point, the club was the only source Australian-made open reels), reel-to-reel tapes were last offered by the club in 1977. As with other divisions of the club, its separate identity was diminished, with releases labelled more as "World Record Club" than "World Tape Club", and the club effectively ceased to exist. The last known new release was ST 03027 (Two Pianos in Hollywood) in February 1977, and the last reissue was ST 00455 (Magical Mystery Tour) in August 1977.