$19,999 for Epstein's Beatles 'Butcher'
According to the Beatles memorabilia dealer who sold the album; "This is easily the most important copy of any album i've ever offered to date. It is an original 1966 U.S. first state stereo Butcher cover 'Yesterday and Today' album that was the personal copy of Beatles manager and close friend to the band, Mr. Brian Epstein!
In 1966, The Beatles 'Butcher' (album) cover was used in an early release of "Yesterday and Today." The album immediately drew criticism due to the image of The Beatles being covered in raw-meat and baby-doll parts. Things were so bad... When Capital Records first released the album, most stores would not carry it. Sears only carried the album for one-day before pulling it from their shelves. This led to a majority of albums being recalled so a less controversial image (sticker) could be placed over the original album cover, making the original (first-state) versions extremely scarce. Add the fact that this particular album was personally owned by The Beatles manager, Brian Epstein... and it adds whole new level of rarity. Back in January of 2010, an unopened copy of the album (unopened in its original 1966 factory shrink wrap) sold on eBay for $26,099.
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Source: What Sells Best
