A Capitol idea!
I found the final piece to my puzzle this week! Appropriately it was the December 1969 release with Santa on the cover – the final issued comp from Capitol records that year and the center image that tied the whole year of covers together. And on the back cover “Merry Christmas from Capitol.” These kind of promotional compilations showcasing individual tracks from the labels stable of recording artists was de rigueur for the day. And many had cover themes that tied the year of monthly releases together, but this collection is the best (and only 12-month puzzle I know of). I was at Groove Merchant on Haight Street in San Francisco a while ago and they have this complete puzzle nicely framed on the wall.