This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/28/2022
Beatles Ultra-Rare Promotional Yesterday and Today "Butcher Cover" First State Mono LP (Capitol T2553, 1966). To many, it's the holy grail of Beatles collectibles, the First State "Butcher Cover," the original cover of the Beatle's US release, Yesterday and Today. Many serious collectors of Fab Four memorabilia have diligently searched for even a tattered copy of the rarity that was pulled from record store shelves in the US almost immediately after the album's release in 1966, ordered to be destroyed, and be replaced by the more subdued "Trunk Cover" version. Millions bought the second version, but few managed a copy of the infamous original.
This copy has a particularly interesting back story. It originally came from noted Norfolk, Virginia DJ "Sheriff Tex" Davis and was gifted by his daughter to her friend in the mid-1960s. The album comes with a typed letter of provenance from the recipient giving an account of how she obtained the record, as well as memories of "Sheriff Tex". The album is also sold with a photocopy of the Capitol Records "recall" letter, dated June 14, 1966 and a letter of provenance from Bruce Spizer, author of The Beatles' Story on Capitol Records. In the letter Spizer mentions that Capitol Records normally drilled the words "PROMO" into the upper right corners of its covers that were distributed to radio stations, record stores, etc. and while drilled promo trunk covers have been confirmed, no known drilled copies of the butcher cover have surfaced. He opines that some Capitol distribution centers may have applied their own "Promotional-Not For Sale" markings but to date none have surfaced. He also indicates this mono record was pressed by Capitol's Scranton factory. Condition: VG-EX 6 (sleeve), VG-EX 6 (disc). Also comes with a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.