The Beatles "Butcher Album" w/ framed album cover print
$
800
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Description
The Beatles "butcher album" is among the most sought after pieces of Beatles memorabilia. Officially titled, The Beatles Yesterday and Today it was released only in America in 1966, but was recalled shortly there after due to what some saw as a disturbing controversial cover photo (the lads in butcher's smocks, covered in slabs of meat and baby doll parts.) Rather than discard all the album sleeves and reproduce them, Capitol Records saved money by simply creating a new cover slick, gluing it over the original, and reissuing the album. Of course it didn't take long for fans to hear of this and begin peeling off the new cover (an innocuous shot of the lads wearing sweaters and sitting on an old steamer trunk). Over the years people have found just the right way to peel off the top slick to reveal the original cover without damaging it.
Some have said the photo was a reaction to Capitol Records policy of taking the Beatles' british releases under the Parlaphone label, and removing songs to compile on a second disc, thus getting two Beatles' albums out of one - or "butchering" their albums. Others believe it was a protest against the war in Vietnam - it was neither. The photo was originally part of a surrealistic photo shoot by Robert Freeman. The props were Freeman's idea and he provided them. Only later did it end up as an album cover when Capitol was seeking art for one of their non-standard releases.
Eventually the first run of albums ran out and all subsequent copies featured only the new steamer trunk photo, rendering the originals as quite the collector's item. There were a small number of albums that were sold to the general public before Capitol Records could recall them. These butcher albums never had anything pasted over the top and are referred to as "first-state" copies. These are the most valuable and collectible of all. Other distinctions are Mono vs. Stereo, peeled vs. unpeeled, and whether it is in the original shrink wrap.
This is an original Mono Beatles "butcher album" in very good condition. The trunk cover has been expertly peeled, thus there is no damage to the cover, no remnants or glue. The spine is intact and has no rips or splits. The corners are soft but in vey good condition, no fraying or tearing. The back of the album shows the slightest discoloration due to age, but there is no marks, writing, or spotting due to mold, etc. The vinyl is in excellent condition and shows the wear of limited playing. The vinyl comes in its original 1966 paper sleeve, which has slight tearing on three sides where the record has split the paper slightly.
Included with this item is a handsomely framed reproduction print of the album cover matted with a reproduction of the original letter Capitol Records sent to retailers recalling the album from circulation. The matte is acid free and the glass is museum quality to protect the images from UV rays. This is a perfect way to display your new acquisition while still being able to handle the actual album if needed.
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