In 2015, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr unloaded more than 800 items from his personal collection of musical instruments and memorabilia in a Julien’s auction to benefit his Lotus Foundation charity. Among the gems was Starr’s original U.K. mono copy of the Beatles’ “White Album.” Stamped with serial number A0000001, it’s the bona fide first copy to come off the factory production line.
It was known the Fab Four themselves received the first four copies of the album. But it had always been assumed John Lennon nabbed the very first pressing, when in fact it was Starr who had copy No. 1, stored in a bank vault for 35 years. Prior, he had the album in his home and actually played it. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Starr said, “Whoever gets it, it will have my fingerprints on it.”
Pre-auction estimates pegged the album’s sale price at $200,000. But never discount the fervor and deep pockets of Beatles maniacs. Ringo’s “White Album” ultimately fetched $790,000 in green, making it the most expensive record(s) ever sold.
