I see the logic from that point of view... but you can also see why it was a trend that didin't last. No good for the home listener, especially one who gets easily confused like me!
I suspect I'm not the first person on this site who has a copy and thought: "How on earth do I list that!"
Had to have a little think about it before I put it on... hope you find it an acceptable way of presenting it.
Throughout the 1950's and most of the 60's "Changer sequencing" was almost universal for all 2 record sets. I even have larger box sets with as many as 10 discs that are numbered that way.
There were a lot of US double LPs issued with the sides in that sequence, MM. It wasn't just for autochangers - it was also of use to certain radio formats. They could play Sides 1 & 2 back-to-back and cue up Side 3 while Side 2 was playing, then Side 4 when Side 3 was going out. Perfectly rational looked at in that light.
I decided to record this today, and discovered what I thought was a mis-pressed label, but discovered, not only that the "error" was consistent, with all 4 labels present, but the music matched the labels (!).
A brief foray inta the into-net revealed this was purposefully done for record changers.
The label details reveal that the record Cat# are: 80917 A, and 80917B for record 1, and 80918 A, And 80918 B for record 2.
The matrix numbers being (each side has 2!!!!):
Record 1, Side 1: 80917-A1 and CBS S 88147 A1
Record 1, Side 4: CBS S 88147 B1, and 80917 B1
Record 2, Side 2: CBS S 88147 C1, and 80918 A1
Record 2, side 3: CBS S 88147 D1 and 80918 B1
To make matters worse, the inside of the gatefold gives each side andit's track listing in the correct sequence!
I wonder how many people to this day give the wrong names to the wrong tracks?
Were they stoned when they decided this would be a good Idea?... "Hey dude, youknow what would really fry people's brains?.... if we buggered up the listing sequence!"
... And God help you if you were stoned when you tried to play it the first time!