Beatles Memorabilia: Prices Realized & Examples

To auction, sell or consign your Beatles memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).

What Is Unsigned Beatles Memorabilia?

Memorabilia from the Beatles is among the most popular genre in music collectibles. Their manager Brian Epstein marketed items differently than earlier music acts, and things like lunchboxes and games were now available to fans. Music fans seek out one of a kind items, including instruments, rare vinyl albums and vintage collectibles.

Here’s Some Beatles Memorabilia We’ve Sold:

John Lennon Personally Owned Reed Organ — Sold for $74,535

Coveted instrument personally owned and played by music legend and 1960’s cultural icon John Lennon. The first time Lennon played an instrument with a keyboard on a record was for his collaboration with McCartney on 1965’s ”I’m Down”, from the B-side to Beatles single ”Help!” Mason and Hamlin brand reed organ, or pump organ, is made of walnut wood and features a dark cherry finish. Accompanied by a slip inscribed, ”Love to Julie / From John Lennon / xxxx” in red ink. Rubber lining on pedals has been replaced. Near fine. A Steinway brand piano of Lennon’s sold at Sotheby’s in 2000 for $2.1 million. Replaced rubber on the foot pedals, else near fine. With provenance from Sotheby’s including original catalog and house-issued certificate of ownership signed by Yoko Ono. Sold for $74,535.

Original Drum Kit Used to Record “Love Me Do” — Sold for $67,500

The original Ludwig drum kit used for the recording of ”Love Me Do”, The Beatles’ first single on their first album ”Please Please Me”, released on 22 March 1963 and ushering in Beatlemania. The session was recorded on 11 September 1962 at EMI London, with this recording of ”Love Me Do” used on the Beatles’ first album ”Please Please Me” as well as the first Beatles U.S. release of ”Love Me Do” and the 1982 re-release of the song. In addition to ”Love Me Do”, this Ludwig drum kit is also heard on ”P.S. I Love You”, which plays on the B-side of the British single and on the ”Please Please Me” album. The kit was played by Andy White during the recording session, who played with the Fab Four that day, with Ringo playing tambourine on ”Love Me Do”. Kit comprises a 14” x 22” bass drum, 16” x 16” floor tom, 9” x 13” tom-tom (which is date-stamped 1956 inside) and 5.5” x 14” snare. Drum head is new. The original Black Diamond Pearl wrapping is present and matches exactly the photo of White playing the drum kit. From the personal collection of Clive Edwards, who studied drum playing under Reg Weller, one of Andy White’s best friends. Weller procured the kit for Edwards after White secured an endorsement deal with Ajax drums. With an LOA from Thea White, the widow of Andy White.  Sold for $67,500.

George Harrison’s Sitar From 1965 — Sold for $62,500

George Harrison’s sitar from 1965, almost certainly the one he used to record ”Norwegian Wood”, the Beatles song that not only launched ”The Great Sitar Explosion” in rock music, but also deepened Harrison’s involvement with Indian music, its culture and the Hindu religion that would shape the rest of his life. More than any guitar that Harrison used during his career with the Beatles and as a solo artist, the sitar is perhaps the instrument most closely associated with Harrison, who was first introduced to it in August of 1965 by David Crosby before buying his own and using it to record ”Norwegian Wood” on 12 October 1965. Sold for $62,500.

Last Concert Poster as a Touring Band — Sold for $6,038

The Beatles concert poster from 29 August 1966 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, their last performance as a touring band. Original printing bears the yellow union bug at bottom right, very rare as one of only approximately 300 printed for the event. Poster #AOR-1.115 was designed by 1960s designer Wes Wilson, featuring a yin yang inspired symbol of the Union Jack and United States flags above a stylistic photograph of the Fab Four. Printed on card stock measuring 17.125″ x 24.125″. Poster is featured in Paul Grushkin’s book “The Art of Rock Posters from Presley to Punk”, page 64. Approximate 1.5″ closed tear at right mid-low margin, and .5″ closed tear at upper left margin. Minimal creasing, and no pinholes or mounting remnants. Displays beautifully with bright colors, in very good plus condition. Sold for $6,038.

Production Master Tape for “Revolver” — Sold for $3,575

The Beatles production master tape for ”Revolver”, used in Australia beginning in 1970 to replace the original master issued when the album debuted in 1966. Quarter-inch tape measures 10.5” in diameter, housed in its original EMI Recording Studios box, with all 14 ”Revolver” tracks and the timelog handwritten. Master tape is one of only a small number sent to regional record companies to press the vinyl albums for their local markets, perhaps the only one extant apart from the original master. Box measures 11” x 10.75”, with the ”Revolver” record labels attached. Very good condition. Sold for $3,575.

Jukebox Demo Pressing of Their First Singles — Sold for $2,900

Rare demo jukebox pressing of The Beatles first singles, “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You”, one of only 250 such records pressed. Parlophone label credits “Lennon-McArtney” of “The Beatles”, misspelling Paul McCartney’s name on each side; also marked “Not For Sale” and “Demonstration Record” on each side. Matrix number on A side runout reads “7XCE 17144-1N”; B side reads “7XCE 17145-1N”. With tax code “ZT” on each side as well as correct Jukebox Record demo abbreviation “JR”. Measures 6.875″ in diameter, housed in E.M.I. Records Limited sleeve. Surface scratches to record, two pieces of tape on each side of white label, and abrasion to label on A side, which has an orange “A” to differentiate it from B side. Sold for $2,900.

RIAA White Matte Gold Award for “Something New” — Sold for $2,415

The Beatles RIAA White Matte Gold award for “Something New”, their follow-up to “A Hard Day’s Night” released in July 1964. White matte award features a gold vinyl record above the album’s cover art and a plaque reading “PRESENTED TO / CAPITOL RECORDS / TO COMMEMORATE THE SALE OF MORE THAN / ONE MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF THE / CAPITOL RECORDS / LONG-PLAYING RECORD ALBUM / ‘SOMETHING NEW’”. Award is in original frame, with RIAA framer, New York Frame & Picture Co. label on paper backing. Measures 17.75″ x 21.5″. Some nicks to wood frame, and light discoloration to linen matte, otherwise near fine condition. Sold for $2,415.

Original Concert Ticket From 1965 — Sold for $2,196

The Beatles concert ticket for a 24 June 1965 performance at the Velodromo Vigorelli venue in Milan, Italy. Large ticket stub measures 4″ x 3.75″, with embossed stamp of Italian organization SIAE. Near fine condition. Sold for $2,196.

Production Master Tape for “Please Please Me” — Sold for $1,353

The Beatles production master tape for their first album “Please Please Me”, used to make the vinyl records in Australia beginning in 1974 to replace the original master issued when the album debuted in 1963. Master tape is one of only a small number sent to regional record companies to press the vinyl albums for their local markets, perhaps the only one extant apart from the original master. Quarter-inch tape is side one of the album, housed in its original EMI Recording Studios box, with the seven tracks and the timelog handwritten, beginning with “I Saw Her Standing There” and ending with “Please Please Me”. The orange Parlophone album label appears at upper right. Tape measures 10.5″ in diameter, housed in an EMI tape box measuring 11″ x 10.75″. Very good condition. Sold for $1,353.

Thanks for stopping by to learn about some of the Beatles memorabilia we’ve sold! Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Learn how to sell your Beatles autographs.

FAQs

What are some popular examples of unsigned Beatles memorabilia?
Concert posters, vinyl albums and tickets are popular examples that collectors greatly enjoy.

How much is my Beatles memorabilia worth?
The value of your item can depend on condition, subject matter and provenance.