Stones book leaves wallets shattered.

Rolling Stones Taschen Book Art Eds. Mick Jagger Print

51 years ago this week The Rolling Stones set out on their first headline tour. Whether you adhere to their claim of being the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world is subjective. Less up for discussion is the band’s storied history.  The tours, the women, the drugs, members dying, if aliens landed on earth and needed rock ‘n’ roll explained the Rolling Stones would be a good answer.

Their story is money. A fact not lost on Sir Mick. With the release of The Rolling Stones Book from luxury book publisher Taschen, the Stones are once again pushing the limits of a premium rock ‘n’ roll experience.

Described as SUMO sized, the book is 20×20 inches with over 500 pages of iconic images, lesser known gems, illustrations and a foreword by President Bill Clinton (?). There are 4 price ranges. The Limited Collector’s Edition, signed by the band, will run you $5,000. If you just thought ouch!, prepared to be shattered. The Art Editions come with a pigment print signed by the photographer who snapped it. There are 5 Art Edition versions, each with a different signed print. They range from $10,000 for a young Keith at the piano to $20,000 for the Mick print featured. And get this, the $20,000 copies are sold out. Finally, for the street fighting fan there is a smaller edition, in both size and price, that’s $150.

If you’re a fan and you got the cash to burn, and you’re sure your wife won’t find out, then by all means go for it. Who knows the collectible value may even surpass the cover price one day.

On the other hand, it’s only rock ‘n’ roll.