The Beatles "Butcher" cover inquiry

[SeattleEd]

Attention Beatles collectors or fans, I have an inquiry and would like to get feedback or a lead on ascertaining a value for a very unique Butcher cover that I have dubbed "1.5 State". Apologies for the blurriness.

This is the front of the album:



This the back:



Here is a video I recorded to verify it's not a fake or trick:

Beatles Butcher 1.5 State

I've collected and seen many a Butcher covers and even perfect fakes/replicas but this one is the real deal. It's amazing to see it in person. The owner had to idea of it's value and thought it to be a fake. It only came up in conversation since he had a peeled version behind the counter and when I told him I collected them over the years and now just own a fake one, we was worried that what he had might be a fake. But when he pulled out it and showed me, I literally was almost knocked over with surprise.
He is the owner of an antique shop and he came across it in a record collection that some one had brought in to sell.
It's obviously a factory mistake and if it were still sealed I can only imagine it's extreme rarity and high value. There is no inner orange sleeve and the vinyl is in VG condition by visual. I can't see the factory number since it's covered up. If anyone has any idea of what the value would be, I would like to pass it on to him. I feel this goes beyond ebay and might even be a Sotheby's piece. Never seen or heard of another like it and I'm tempted to have him contact Rockaway Records in L.A.

He was told by a website to ebay and he might get $1000. I told him he could get way more and to not sell it just yet. I know, I should have made him an offer but the cat was out of the bag by then. LOL.

[Blue Meanie]

1st state butcher in Stereo...easily worth anywhere's from 10 - 15K in a sealed state. IMHO , that one would probably fetch in the 5 - 10K range. How's the spine?? Any splits? BTW, that's the first time I've ever seen that with a Butcher sleeve...so it may actually get more. If you know anyone that peels the covers, let me know. I want to get mine peeled...it's not mint, but it would look so cool in my collection as a peeled Butcher.

[Mikey]

Looks to me to be a "paste-over" on the wrong side.

Neat piece.

Hard to value, but I know WAY MORE than $1000.00

[Blue Meanie]

Here's a finished auction for a 3rd State(Peeled) stereo version:

Ultra Rare Beatles Butcher Cover 3rd State - Stereo | eBay

Looks to be a 1st state...I don't think the seller knew for sure if it was or wasn't.

[theantiquetiger]

Looks to me to be a "paste-over" on the wrong side.

Neat piece.

Hard to value, but I know WAY MORE than $1000.00

That is exactly what it is, they put the sticker on the wrong side!!!

[kennermike]

don't know the value Ed but awesome!!!

[Den82]

This brings back terrible memories of last summer.

I went to a garage sale and started flipping through some records. I pulled out a beautiful copy of "Yesterday and Today" with the shrink wrap still on the cover (though it was opened and used). My body froze and I paid the dollar and practically RAN out of the yard. My father was laughing hysterically.

I thought for sure I had a '78 Trans Am in that record. I did not know some did NOT have the butcher cover underneath it. Mine, did not.

That and the time I grabbed a Deluxe Box NES thinking ROB was in it and then finding out it was just a Colecovision inside are two major let downs in my life.

[SeattleEd]

Yes, guys it is a factory error, you get best of both worlds, hence the 1.5 nomenclature.

Again, this is a first state on front.

Robert,

the spine has no tears. It's all intact with the exception of a small rip on the paste over on the back exposing some of the back lettering on the bottom.

I've read that first state sealed "Livingston" copies can fetch $250K. Monos are relegated to a $100k mark, but again, these are "Livingston" copies that have been verified and authenticated.

This piece in question is the first I've ever come across.

[Brad]

The stereo version brings a lot more then the mono. Did you look at the actual album and is it mono or stereo? Since people have figured out how to successfully remove the decal the second states don't usually bring big money. Do an eBay search using completed listings and you'll see. First and second state, sealed is still king and it drops fast from there. Second states can be had in G condition for $500 or less and (well done) peeled thirds for under a grand. The economy has hurt these as with many other collector items.

Not sure what putting the sticker on the wrong side would add but I doubt you would find a collector looking to drop 5 grand or above. The one shown above in the eBay link for $3450 is a first, not a third (mis-titled but the bidders still figured it out) plus it is in nice condition and it's the stereo version! Of course you never know until you try. Actually I think eBay would be the best place to list it. You will get people from all over the world looking there.

As far as having one peeled I think that Jim Hansen from Blue Jay Way Galleries is still THE man.

Butchers Beatles Cover peeling... by Rodolfo arana (rodolfo arana) on Myspace


But I am far from an expert. Just know what I have seen on eBay.

[Brad]

I've read that first state sealed "Livingston" copies can fetch $250K. Monos are relegated to a $100k mark, but again, these are "Livingston" copies that have been verified and authenticated.

You have been misinformed. In 2006 a Livingston copy sold at auction for around $39,000.

Beatles "Yesterday And Today" Livingston Copy Sealed First State Mono "Butcher Cover" LP Capitol 2553 (1966). Yes, it's a ... (Total: 1 ) Music MemorabiliaRecordings

And those are the cream of the crop.

[SeattleEd]

You have been misinformed. In 2006 a Livingston copy sold at auction for around $39,000.

Beatles "Yesterday And Today" Livingston Copy Sealed First State Mono "Butcher Cover" LP Capitol 2553 (1966). Yes, it's a ... (Total: 1 ) Music MemorabiliaRecordings

And those are the cream of the crop.

Brad,

Big time! In haste, I went to page that was referred to me of "Beatle experts" and that's where I got the numbers. I jumped the gun and should have gone over to the site I reference the most, rarebeatles.com. The so called expert had no idea of the value.

It appears the Livingston copies (24 pieces 20 monos/4 stereos) have a cumulative value that has reached $300K as of 2000. Looks to be over a million by now.
Here is the latest update:

December 2007 Update:

It's hard to believe that it's been 8 years since the above information was written. It may be even harder to believe that during this time the value of premium butcher covers has more than tripled. The market value of the 24 Livingston butcher covers is now approaching an astonishing one million dollars!! Record prices of $85,000 for a stereo copy and $44,000 were set a couple of years ago. It looks like the sky is going to be the limit...

I'm sure with the current economy the value must have dropped some. Buyer's market.

As for the one I brought up in question, yes, first state does bring higher market value and that's the point with this one, the cover IS first state while the back is second state, with the sticker. This is not a fake nor would it be possible to create this piece in it's current condition. It is a factory error and once seen in person, once can see how valid and rare the piece to be.

The vinyl is stereo as is the cover.

I'm currently trying to track down Perry Cox and Gary Johnson to try and ascertain a value for this guy. I'm sure he can fetch $5k or more at Beatlefest.
Also, I have no personal stake or interest in the piece. The fellow was very nice to show it to me and let me hold it. I just want it to go to a good home where it will appreciated because right now, he has well hidden, away from eyes. The current owner is not a Beatles fan nor likes the cover. He just wants a fair price.

[Brad]

Stereo defiantly ups the value. The economy has put a hurt on these items but it shouldn't be too bad as this would be in the higher end range compared to the more common seconds and thirds. And it is very kind of you helping this person out.


Please keep (me) us informed as I would love to know what it ends up selling for just out of curiosity. As I said I am far from an expert so who knows what it could bring. It is defiantly an oddity for sure and thanks for sharing this with (me) us.

[Type3Toys]

Best album cover of all time.

[Adam West]

Wasn't there a fairly recent "American Picker's" episode where they picked up this record?

I thought the blurb was that they could sell upwards of $20K. The one they bought had some condition issues and I don't think they made it clear as to whether it was a paste over or not. I believe they paid $2K for it and they buy to make money. Yours appears to be in better condition than the one they bought so I have to think without knowing all the details that this is a $4-$5K album in your hands.

[Spawn67]

Best album cover of all time.

Ive always said this was the first Metal album cover!