This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2025
Offered is a 1966 Beatles Yesterday and Today "Butcher" Cover Stereo Vinyl LP - THIRD STATE. When Yesterday and Today was circulated to radio stations record reviewers prior to release, there was a bit of an uproar about the artwork. The photos supplied to Capitol records from The Beatles management came from a photo shoot that the band had done in March, 1966 with photographer Robert Whitaker, which were originally intended to be used for a piece of conceptual art called “A Somnambulant Adventure." Whitaker had no idea that he'd inadvertently created the Butcher cover! The albums were quickly withdrawn from circulation, and a new cover was chosen for the album. Some of the sleeves were covered with new artwork on a sticker, and some were destroyed and reprinted. What was created was one of the greatest rarities in the collecting world. "Butcher Covers" are sought after in their three "states." Each indicates whether it's an album that is untouched, ie "first state", with its new cover sticker applied, ie "second state", or with the new cover sticker peeled off, ie "third state," like the offered copy. Also included is a copy of June 14, 1966, letter from Capitol Records to record reviewers explaining why the company "to avoid any possible controversy or undeserved harm to The Beatles' image or reputation, Capitol has chosen to withdraw the LP and substitute a more generally acceptable design." The vinyl presents in VG+ condition. The sleeve itself has areas of paper loss on the cover, expected in most third state copies, while the spine is very clean, and there are areas of separation at the bottom edge.