The London Beatles Store

[MissusLennon]

I was there during our trip, and found myself in absolute HEAVEN. If only I had a billion dollars (I'd need every penny of it too, really expensive place, it is)
Included with tons of new merchandise were a few items of interest, including (drool) a signed first edition In His Own Write (I was tempted to smash the glass, grab it and RUN heh heh).
Also in the 'items of interest category' were two butcher covers. This brings me to my question...
I couldn't look at them properly as they were behind glass so I know no details other than that they were both peeled (unless there were a few out before they covered them - I'm not sure ????), one was £800 (about $1600 Canadian) and the other was around £1000 (about $2000 Canadian)... my question is, were they as hideously overpriced as everything else in the shop, or is that the going rate?

[DizzymissLizzy909]

I'm not quite sure about the price thing... I'll be willing to bet all rare Beatle merchandise is pretty expensive, though. I wish I could visit England and see all those great Beatle places. I'd likely steal a few items out of every shop. images/icons/wink.gif

[Harbidge]

The only butchers that could commandeer that sort of price has to be a 100% absolutely perfect peel with glowing colours and no repairwork.

Even then, £1,000 is very expensive for a Butcher cover. Typical prices for mint copies today are about...

1st State Mono - £10,000 - £15,000
1st State Stereo - £25,000 - £30,000
2nd State Mono - £800 - £1,000
2nd State Stereo - £1,000 - £1,250
3rd State Mono - £600 - £700
3rd State Stereo - £700 - £1,000

These are just approximate vaules. Copies can sell for less, or they can sell for more.

The record set for buying a record was set by a 1st state sealed stereo Butcher cover (Livingstone copy I presume). It sold for $38,500!

[MissusLennon]

Thanks Harb, although I couldn't really see them well, I could tell at least one (the cheaper one) was not even remotely mint (yellowed/maybe a bit battered).

I think the signed book was around £1000 (a price I'd pay if I had that kind of money!)

Needless to say, I got a £3 patch and that's it, which my mum bought me images/icons/tongue.gif

[lennonluvr9]

You are so lucky! I'd like to go there and see all that stuff!

[Harbidge]

It isn't the *best* Beatles store in the world. It's mainly full of modern day trinkets and gifts with only a small glass case with the rare 60's stuff inside. Maybe he has a back room with the gold in but I didn't see it.

The Beatles Shop in Liverpool is much better. They have a LOT more original stuff in there as well as signatures on display. Saw my first Lennon autograph in there images/icons/grin.gif

[MissusLennon]

Because the ******** we stayed with broke his promise to me, I didn't get to go to Liverpool (which was the only place I really wanted to go images/icons/frown.gif ).

[lennon4]

I can't be sure of it, but I doubt I'd want one of those guided tours when I get to England. I don't think I'd get to spend enough time in each place that I wanted to see. Guess I'll decide when the time comes...lol.

-lennon4

[spikewilbury22]

I've been to England on a number of occasions, most recently being for the Concert For George. I have taken the "walk" and found it to be unsatisfactory. It's just as easy to find your way around without the guide. Basically the guides go to the famous rooftop, abbey road and a couple other places that are easily found. The store was pretty expensive and I did like the abbey road cafe. I bought a lithograph print of help's cover painted by paul. It's just fun being a part of the history of the Beatles.

[BeatleBonJoviFan]

I've been to that London Beatles shop also and found myself nearly drooling... But as Harb said, it definitely isn't the best Beatles store out there. And that Elvis store next to it wasn't that impressive, either.

Yeah, I went on one of the Beatles walks. While I found it interesting, I didn't like the guide very much. He seemed too impressed with himself. I didn't like the way he talked and how he boasted that he was the "Beatles Brain of Britain". Hah. I think there are some people here who could give him a run for his money. Most of the places he took us to you could find on your own.

[HowlinAndrea]

the Beatlesstore really is a great place! Although I think it was far too small.

Has anyone here walked any of the Beatleswalks in London?

I did and it's spectacular:jumping:

[MissusLennon]

I went on one of the ones that the Abbey Road Cafe place thinger does, I really enjoyed it!(except that the guide guy was really rude images/icons/frown.gif )

[Harbidge]

When I was in London I created my own 'tour' and managed to visit a LOT of places. It was last year so details are an ickle bit foggy, but I visited:

Abbey Road - I never realised this but the famous zebra crossing is directly outside the studios. You ca actually see the outer wall in the album photo!

Apple Boutique - It took a while, but I found it in the end and got a good photo of it.

3 Savile Row - Plenty of photos here, including one looking up at the roof (for prosterity)

Buckingham Palace (Very famous)

Carnaby Street

EMI House - Where the photo for the Beatles LP 'Please Please Me' was tkaen on the stairs. Sadly it's been severely renovated and the stairs are no more.

Paddington Train Station - Where the beginning to HDN was filmed.

Battersea Power Station - Well, I passed it in the train.

Fraser Gallery - I'm pretty sure I found it, but cannot be 100% certain images/icons/frown.gif

The London Arts Gallery - Again, not sure if I found the right place.

Madame Tussaud's - I walked past it, but the prices were so exhrobitant that I didn't venture inside.

Marylebone Registrars - I *almost* found it. I think I did but time was running out so I had to abandon the search.

7 Cavendish - Paul's London home. I took a sneaky pic over the high walls and scarpered. No startled McCartney in the toilet window though.

MPL Communications Office - It's surprisingly small!

The Hari Krishna Temple - Again, surprisingly small. I saw a couple of devotees having a meal in the adjoining café.

[Siobhan]

Originally Posted By Harbidge:

The Beatles Shop in Liverpool is much better. They have a LOT more original stuff in there as well as signatures on display. Saw my first Lennon autograph in there images/icons/grin.gif <font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">I used to love the Liverpool shop! The first time I went there I came out with about ten bags! I haven't been there in a while, but I have been told it isn't as good as it was. I don't know how true that is, but it's a shame if it is true.

I have never been to the shop in London (very bad I know, considering I live in London!) I haven't done the walks either, but I did drag my dad around all of the London Beatle places when I was a teenager!

[Rellevart]

I've taken a couple of those walking tours on various trips to the UK, but they're not really my thing. I like to be inconspicuous and when you're walking the streets with a group of 10 people and some dude with a boom box, you REALLY stick out. I found it kind of embarrassing actually, but that's probably just me. images/icons/smile.gif

[HowlinAndrea]

Yeah, that guide was really strange...
I'd love to go to Liverpool,how far is it from London?

[Harbidge]

Liverpool is approximately 300-400 miles away from London. It'll take you about 4-6 hours to travel between the two cities via train.