An original proof of the banned "butcher cover" photo is up for sale, along with John Lennon's handwritten estimate of its value:
The most expensive piece of Beatles memorabilia ever put up for sale has appeared at an exhibit in the UK.The highlight of "The $11m Dollar Picture Show" is a printer's proof of the famous Beatles banned "butcher cover" from John Lennon's personal collection.
The controversial photo features all four Beatles in butcher's jackets, surrounded by offal and plastic baby dolls.
It includes a handwritten note by Lennon, which reads: "Here's the famous banned butcher cover. You can sell it for $11m dollars."The article reports that 6 of the 10 most expensive items sold at auction are Beatles memorabilia:
#5, John Lennon's talisman necklace
The necklace was worn by Lennon on the cover of his 1968 album with Yoko One, Two Virgins. It was sold to a private collector in 2008 for $528,000.
#4, Gibson SG guitar played by George Harrison and John Lennon
The classic Gibson guitar was played by Harrison on the Beatles' Revolver album, and by Lennon on the White Album. It sold to an anonymous bidder at Christie's for $567,500.
#3, A hand painted Beatles Sgt. Pepper's drum skin
The drum is the centrepiece on the front cover of the band's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. It sold in 2008 for a staggering $1.1m.
#2, John Lennon's Steinway piano
Pop singer George Michael placed the winning bid for the piano on which Lennon wrote his song Imagine, in 2000, for $2.1m.
#1, John Lennon's hand painted Rolls Royce Phantom V
The car was sold by Sotheby's to Canadian businessman Jim Pattison in 1985 for $2.23m.
Apparently, the Rolls is now in British Columbia. No word on the whereabouts of the Gibson SG:
