Beatles Christmas Album

[TheLadyElizabeth]

I was a member of The Official Beatles Fan Club and received individual Christmas greetings but one year they sent an album of several of the past greetings. The album is in very good condition (only played a few times) and I was wondering if anyone knows if it's worth anything. Cheers!

[ringo_rama]

You'll have to send it to me to make sure it's authentic. This is a free service, although it will probably take me several years to find a conclusion.

In all seriousness, you could easily get $200+ for this.

[TheLadyElizabeth]

Wow! And to think I brought it to a record shop years ago and the guy acted like it was trash! I'd never sell it (even though it is a bit silly...but I guess they were supposed to be that way) but thanks for the information RR. Cheers!

[Harbidge]

I'm assuming that you're in America, yea?

The Christmas LP has been counterfeited in the past, but if you received it in the mail back in 1970 then that's most probably a good enough excuse to assume that it's authentic.

If it's in top condition then ringo_rama's value of about $200 is about right.

And this shows why if you're selling something you should NEVER go to a record dealer. A number are unscrupulous b******s who will think of nothing about ripping you off. The best example of this was broadcast on television when a record dealer was going through someones Beatles collection and was saying how each record was only "worth £20, I'll give you £10 for it". This was the original stuff in good condition. The worst by far was an original mono UK white album numbered just under 3,000. He said it was worth £20 and offered £10 for it when it is in fact worth over £500.

Advice to all - if you're going to sell records, buy a price guide (UK - Rare Record Puide Guide 2006, US - Goldmine) and check them out. Then list them on eBay with a good, accurate description of the condition along with decent photos of the cover (front and back) and the record including label.

[Jerry]

And this shows why if you're selling something you should NEVER go to a record dealer. A number are unscrupulous b******s who will think of nothing about ripping you off.

Hey...didn't you used to work in a record store?

[Harbidge]

Yeah, but I was the rare breed who didn't fleece, mainly because I knew that I wouldn't want it to happen to me.

It was also probably why I was let go 6 months after I was recruited. :-P

[TheLadyElizabeth]

Thanks so much for the information Harbidge. Yes, I am in America. I had joined the Beatles fanclub in the late '60's and I received two or three of the single Christmas messages on that soft, floppy plastic. Then probably around 1970 I received the LP with several of the Christmas messages on it. I don't know if it's in "top" condition. The record has been played a few times and the jacket probably has a bit of rubbing having been stored next to other albums. I'll have to dig it out and check on the condition, but thanks again both of you for the estimated value.

After that experience many years ago Harbidge, I would never go to a record dealer to get an honest appraisal on anything. I knew the record was worth more than what he was offering. I wasn't out to sell it, I just wanted to get an idea what it was worth to a collector.

[TheLadyElizabeth]

Oh and sorry about you losing your job Harbidge...but it's nice to know there are honest people out there. Cheers!