We’ve seen all sorts of Beatles-related memorabilia fetch top dollar at auction over the years, and next month, Ringo Starr is getting in on the action with a heaping helping of strange and wonderful items from his own personal collection.
Starr is selling off more than 1,300 pieces through Julien’s Auctions in early December, and though many of the items in the lot (which you can check out in its entirety at the Julien’s website) are artwork and heirlooms that don’t have anything to do with his musical legacy, there’s still a substantial portion of interest to Beatles fans — including Starr’s original U.K. pressing of the White Album, stamped No. 0000001.
Dangerous Minds notes that it’s long been widely assumed John Lennon had this copy — an assumption apparently shared by Paul McCartney, who said Lennon “shouted loudest” for it after the band came up with the idea of having each copy numbered at the pressing plant — and the report concedes that, given the different numbering systems used by various plants, there are multiple No. 0000001s floating around. Still, this is an incredible opportunity for Beatles collectors.But you’ll need some pretty deep pockets to have any hope of pulling off the purchase; the starting bid is set at $20,000, and Julien’s estimates the LP will sell between $40,000 and $60,000. But don’t fret — if you’re eager to get your hands on Beatles swag from the Starr vaults, you still have plenty of more affordable options, including chairs, a jukebox, a signed pillow and plenty of sales awards.
Proceeds from the auction are sure to be substantial, and they’re all going toward a good cause: the Lotus Foundation, which Starr and his wife Barbara Bach founded in order to “fund, support, participate in and promote charitable projects aimed at advancing social welfare in diverse areas.” The foundation’s website has more information.
