The most expensive piece of album memorabilia is White not Wu.
An original pressing of The Beatles White Album, number 0000001 to be exact, has the distinction of being the most expensive album ever sold. In December of 2015, it was auctioned off for $790, 000. Now some will point out that The Wu Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin did indeed sell for much more commanding $2 million. But it was never commercially released and it was bought by pharma douchebag Martin Shkreli.
Rock n Roll memorabillia acquires its worth based on a number of things:
Who made it, or used it in the case of an instrument.
The impact the art had on pop culture.
The condition of the piece.
The rarity of the piece.
What it means to the buyer.
The 0000001 pressing of The Beatles 1968 self-titled album, commonly known as The White Album, checks all the boxes. It’s an original pressing, the first of the lot. It is one of the best albums (arguably) by one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands to ever plug in. AND it was originally owned by one of The Beatles who actually played it for friends at parties.
In the world of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, The Beatles are bluechip. Them and Elvis are money.
The White Album is such a landmark achievement that when artists release a sprawling album with music crossing into unexpected genres, it’ll be referred to as their White Album. The Rolling Stones’ White Album would be Exile on Main Street. The Clash’s White Album is Sandinista. The Dammed put a goth spin on things when they released The Black Album. Sign of the Times is Prince’s White Album.
Geek fact: The White Album moniker started out more as a description than the double vinyl’s official name. The Beatles commissioned British pop artist Richard Hamilton to design the cover. Hamilton came up with the ultra minimalistic art work with nothing but a subtle embossed The Beatles on the front and spine.
Fans organically started to refer to the release as The White Album.
The original pressing was numbered and the band members took home numbers 1 through 4. The whereabouts of 3 to 4 are unknown. Many believed that John had number one, but in reality Ringo had it packed away in a vault. The Beatles’ drummer sold the album at Julien’s Auctions were it raised $790,000 for the Lotus Foundation. One of Ringo’s favourite charity’s, which raises funds to advance social welfare.
Good on Ringo.
WuTang more marketing than memoribilla.
When it comes to The WuTang Clan’s Once Upon A Time In Shaolin, it is indeed a rare piece with only one copy in existence. But while the band owns a pivotal chapter in the story of rap music—and I would say pop culture, the album is more stunt than anything else. Now I know WuTang’s RZA has a rationale about the 88-year ban on the commercialization of the album, but the fact remains, unheard the music has touched no one.
I will say WuTangs marketing efforts were on point. The idea was that the one copy would go to the highest bidder with the condition that whoever bought it would share it for free with the rest of the world. Unfortunately once pharmadouche got his hands on it, all that changed.
The Beatles White album is the most expensive album ever sold.
You can insert the commercial distinction if anyone challenges you on this. That or you can just walk away. Walk away knowing you are right goddam it.
Now not everybody has $790,000 in their entertainment jar to drop on an album purchase. Nor should you unless you’ve got the funds.
For some $789,870 less, The Beatles released expansive 50th Anniversary Edition packages of the album in 2018. You can go all in with the Super Deluxe package which includes a 168-page hard covered book featuring photos, press-releases, and handwritten lyrics. From there you could choose from the Deluxe 3CD, 4 LP package or the Standard 2 LP package. I’d pass on the Standard as it doesn’t include the Esher demos and all you’re really getting is Gilles Martin’s remix.
As re-releases go this one is pretty sweet. Fans of the band have long heard of acoustic demos the band recorded at George Harrison’s house before heading into the studio. Now I’m not usually a big fan of demos, but the Esher demos are pretty cool. These songs are so well known. It’s amazing to hear the band harmonizing together on campfire versions of Back in the USSR, I’m So Tired and Revolution. A lot of people mark The White Album as the beginning of the end for the band. It’s believed that they were working separately on their songs. The Esher demos have a band working out songs that have become Beatles classics.
What’s the right White for you?
Because of the hardcover book the Super Deluxe version is pretty tempting. However the Deluxe 3CD, 4 LP package has a 24-page abridged version of the book plus the 4-vinyls set is a limited edition. If you’re a fan of vinyl go with the Deluxe. If not, the 168-page Hardcover book is an amazing get.