Rare Beatles White album to go under the hammer

Cameo Auctioneers of Midgham, near Reading England have an Apple PMC-7067/8 Mono UK 1st Press LP SERIAL No 0000007 of the Beatles White Album as lot number 308 in their specialist Film and Music Memorabilia Auction taking place on the 4th March 2008.

This copy of the White Album is considered very rare due to its extremely low serial number. Stories abound that the first 10 albums were distributed directly to the Beatles, but in this case it is reported that the copy was purchased new by the vendor’s parent as a present at the time of release.

The Beatles 'White Album' was the ninth official album by The Beatles, a double album released in 1968. It is often referred to as The White Album as it has no text but the band's name, discreetly embossed slightly below the middle of the album's right side. The album cover also featured a unique stamped serial number on its plain white sleeve, which was designed by pop artist Richard Hamilton.

Inside packaging includes a poster of the lyrics to the songs, and a set of photographs taken by John Kelley during the autumn of 1968 that have themselves become iconic. This is the only sleeve of a Beatles studio album not to show the members of the band on the front. The album was the first album The Beatles recorded following the death of their manager Brian Epstein. Originally planned to be titled ‘A Doll's House’ the ‘White Album’ is often hailed as one of the major accomplishments in 20th century popular music.

This may possibly be the lowest numbered original mono copy of this album to become available for public auction. To be offered for sale on 4th March 2008 by Cameo Auctioneers in England, the album celebrates it's 40th birthday on November 25th this year.

The album is estimated to make between £3000 and £5000.

For more information, visit cameo-auctioneers.co.uk.