Hello collectors, I have been collecting Beatles memoribilia as a group for over 30 years!  As an avid collector I know what it takes to grade and choose what I consider only the top of the crop in Beatles memoribilia.  My guide will exlpain what  type of memoribilia is currently high on buyers lists, grading records and albums and the  best places to obtain memoribilia and hard to find Beatles items that are still out there for YOU to find.

Here are some items high on collector's lists right now.  The famous "Butcher Cover" (Yesterday and Today LP)  Though rare, this LP was first produced with the famous photo of the Beatles covered in  bloody meat and doll parts.  Considered to shocking for the 1960's public, the LP was quickly recalled and the LP covers were replaced with a paste over of the Beatles "trunk" photo.  Many of the original Butcher covers were discovered underbeath the the paste overs and quickly became a collector's item. Another item high on collector's lists are any original Beatles U.S.A. Concert tickets, preforably unused.  They fetch a high some (usually in the hundreds of dollars) in todays Beatles market. But still today, original autographs by the Fab Four generate high somes. (Remember to always ask for a Certificate of Authenticity when purchasing this kind of item.  There are MANY phony signatures out there folks))

Using a grading system is very important in obtaining good copies of used Beatles records and LPs.  Starting with Poor quality and working our way up to Mint condition will help the buyer in choosing quality records.  A record in POOR condition is not worth the time or energy in adding to your collection.  Poor is better than nothing?WRONG,  Poor is STILL poor!  Good condition is just above a poor.  When looking for a record, album, picture sleeve or jacket ONLY look for ones above VG++ condition. Of course MINT is my priority.  When buyung always look for items in MINT condiiton.

Believe it or not I find many of my Beatles finds at Estate and Garage sales.bUT, the early bird catches the worm and getting out early and traveling far helps to increase accessibility to items just waiting for me to pick up.  Many garage sale people sell these items cheap just to get rid of them.."Their loss isYOUR gain"!  I spend every weekend out and about searching and it has paid off!.  Ebay is of course another fine place to obtain or build on your collection.  Ebayers are the best source for not only items but information on collecting.

One of the most common questions asked is :What are the hard to find Beatles items I would like to add to my collection"?  Number one I have found is to be The Beatles original Record Player, now that is a hard item to come across.  In my 30 years of collecting, I have only come across two record players in VG to near Mint condition. So many of these players are either broken or are in poor condition.  I consider this one item to include in your collection even if in only poor to good condition .There are few of these out there and to have one in your collection is a must!  I feel the hardest to find item out there right now is The Beatles "Yellow Submarine Bicycle"  Yes, a real bike painted to look like The Yellow Submarine.  I'm still looking for this one!  VERY VERY rate indeed!

Collecting has to be fun and enjoyable and it has to mean something to you.  I am a first generation Beatles fan and collecting has been a life long adventure for me.  Make it an adventure for you too, but most of all, Enjoy your collection!