Expert: Pattie - 2/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Pattie, I need to find the value of a Framed Sgt Peppers gold album. I bought it about 20 years ago. It had the gold album of course it also had the original album cover that was signed. It had 2 seals of authenticity. 1 for the album and 1 for the cover. It was in a beautiful oak frame. If you can help me out I would appreciate it. Thankyou.

ANSWER: Hi Gene!

Sounds like you have a nice item there. I need some more information though to give a more accurate appraisal. Where did you purchase the award and what were the circumstances around the sale? Can you reveal the price you paid 20 years ago? Can you tell me who signed the album cover? Also, who provided the seals of authenticity, and does that authenticity cover the signatures as well? When you say "seals", are these like gold stickers or do you have a letter of authenticity as well? Was any provenance provided for the award? Is this an RIAA award and if so, does it say who the award was presented to and when? As you can tell, an awful lot of things are taken into consideration when appraising collectibles, especially when you're dealing with the Beatles. If you can provide me some detailed pictures, that would certainly help. You can send pictures to me at my band website address, which is pattie@luvmedeux.com. The more information I have, the better. I look forward to more info and in the meantime, thanks for the question!

Peace,
Pattie
8^)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I purchased it in an antique store in Prescott Arizona for $1000.00. The album cover was signed by all four Beatles. It was an RIAA award presented to them. It was nothing like You see today in memorabilia stores today. The album overlapped the upper right corner of the cover & there was a seal of authenticity in the lower right corner. Unfortunately my home was burglarized the night of a fire & it was taken. The fire destroyed the pictures I had of it. Any help at this point would be fantastic. Thanks again.

Answer
Hi again, Gene...

Wow...that's horrible! I guess you need something for insurance purposes then? I can safely say that if the autographs were genuine, you could put the value at around $20,000. However, the problem now lies in the fact that without the actual item, authenticating it is impossible. Do you have the original bill of sale?

Peace,
Pattie
8^)