Beatles PROMO SLEEVE "EPI-903 ASK ME WHY" - NM
  $   7,500

 


$ 7500 Sold For
Aug 12, 2017 Sold Date
Jun 26, 2017 Start Date
$   12985 Start price
1 Number Of Bids
  USA Country Of Seller
eBay Sold at
 
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Description

BEATLES EPI-903 "PROMO" Sleeve ONLY "ASK ME WHY"
This Sleeve was a PROMOTIONAL attempt by Vee Jay Records to help sell their EPs such as:  "SOUVENIR OF THEIR FIRST VISIT TO AMERICA" and other potential releases. RECORD NOT INCLUDED!
You never know until you try! The owner of this item realized that the initial asking price was probably too high however that is due to the fact that this item is so rare, he was unsure about how much to list it for. That's why this auction has a "BEST OFFER"  option. Please feel free to "MAKE YOUR BEST OFFER". 
Issued in June of 1964.
This PROTO-TYPE "BLACK & WHITE"  sleeve was issued with some later PROMOTIONAL COPIES of EP (VJEP 903.DJ2) as a part of Vee Jay's marketing campaign to promote their EP'S at new lower pricing. Always keep in mind that ALL "AUTHENTIC" SLEEVES always OPEN AT THE BOTTOM  and are cut similar to other Vee Jay   sleeves (SEE PHOTOS). If not, it's definitely a counterfeit. To plug the song "ASK ME WHY", Vee Jay issued only an extremely limited number of these sleeves, strictly as an experiment. As the decision was made for some reason focusing on a single song, they oddly chose to feature "ASK ME WHY"  and described the record as "An EP that is selling like a single ... at single record prices". It also lists the phrase "STILL ONLY #8 IN SALES". Although this experiment was a MONUMENTAL FLOP  for Vee Jay, it's still undoubtedly the rarest and most valuable of all BEATLES sleeves. 
NOTE:  As of 8-12-17, we've added some additional photos that should illustrate as many of the details of this piece that we could. If you were not already aware or unfamiliar with the details of this piece, the most important tell tale sign of authenticity is the fact that this unique sleeve OPENS FROM THE BOTTOM. In addition you will note that the sleeve is also cut like other Vee Jay production sleeves  Please take a look and if there are still questions that you may have, we look forward to hearing them. Thanks for watching! (PLEASE VIEW ALL PHOTOS).
(The Exact number issued is unknown however experts have estimated that possibly only as few as 100 OR LESS ever found their way into the marketplace).
As you can see from the photos, although it's essentially & structurally in MINT condition, it has yellowed somewhat which would only be expected for something constructed on WHITE paper, now over 53 years old. There's only a slight hint of an impression/ring from a record that was originally issued with it. It does not show up very well in the photos because when taking photos of something WHITE, it's difficult to see and focus clearly, however as a part of the full disclosure of its condition we felt it necessary to mention this slightest of flaws, as minor as it is, since it does exist. Otherwise it's GEM MINT and will be nearly impossible to ever locate in better condition anywhere. GORGEOUS CONDITION! 
It is understandable that "HIGHLY PRICED" items such as this are sometimes overlooked as possibly being "FINANCIALLY OUT OF REACH". Where you see the "MAKE BEST OFFER" option, always remember it is there for a reason. It always means that A "REASONABLE" OFFER has a much better chance than no offer at all. So never think that anything is necessarily out of reach! YOU NEVER KNOW!  Interested Parties:  MAKE YOUR BEST OFFER!
If you're interested in any VINYL, CD, CASSETTE, VHS TAPE, DVD, POSTER or any other item that you don't see listed, it doesn't mean that we don't have it or can't obtain it for you. So please let us know. We have thousands of items too numerous to list, therefore ... WE WELCOME ALL INQUIRIES!  As a former DISC JOCKEY in the 1960s, the owner of this RARE collectible has always stated that he considers himself as fortunate to have always had the opportunity to obtain many frequently discarded PROMOTIONAL and other rare items at the Radio Station where he once worked. He's always felt he was in the right place at the right time and has stated that this particular item was obtained in MID 1964 from a relative of his who actually worked at Vee Jay Records. Onlookers have stated on several occasions that they have never seen one of these in such fine condition. In fact if you were to seehis entire collection, you would find that all of the items he owns are in this condition. He's as meticulous as anyone we have ever been associated with, which is why we have no problem selling his items on Ebay. So if any of his items that we've posted appear to be in pristine condition, its simply because they are! Comments are always welcome so don't ever be afraid to speak out and ask questions. We've probably already heard what you might have to say, but any comments are welcome and always appreciated. Thank you for watching!

IMPORTANT NOTE! Please read the following information for a little history!
   Where does our knowledge about "Vee Jay" RECORDS originate? Although there have been several very well done    and well researched publications about the history of the "BEATLES", their recordings, and the companies who had    the unique opportunity to have had an association with them, most if not all based their research solely upon THIRD    PARTY INFORMATION and whatever existing info/documents remained available. Regarding our specific expertise    with respect to "Vee Jay", our owner was fortunate enough to have had a relative who was personal friends of both   Vivian Carter and her husband Jimmy Bracken (original "Vee Jay" owners). Their friendship goes back to their days    in the 1950s in Gary, Indiana. Since he had previous experience at that time in the recording industry, they hired him    to work at "Vee Jay". With his first hand knowledge of everything that went on there, his insight and experiences with respect to daily company operations and internal issues which he graciously passed on to us, have been invaluable since they originated from his personal experience. Production & Vendor issues were his areas of knowledge and expertise that he was personally involved with on a daily basis during the  "BEATLES"  era. His first hand knowledge plus his personal possessions and documents retained from his years there (many of which departed with him when he left the company - including pieces like this), have been and always will remain priceless to us. He had always stated that 1964 was very stressful for everyone there. Although he remained friends with the Brackens, it was no longer a place he felt he could continue to work. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to pass on what weconsider to be some of the greatest personal insight that one could ever have imagined obtaining from a recording company of such historical significance.
BEFORE YOU MAKE AN OFFER WE SUGGEST THAT YOU ASK QUESTIONS AND/OR REQUEST ADDITIONAL PHOTOS.
Purchased AS IS! (See "LIMITED RETURN POLICY" herein for details).
The information provided herein is all that we know about this particular item as stated directly from the owner.THANKS FOR WATCHING!
FACT FYI - ORIGINAL PICTURE SLEEVES WERE NEVER REISSUED:  For those of you who are unaware, 45 rpm records from back in the 1960s, in this case those by THE BEATLES, were originally issued with a Picture Sleeve. Although 45 records themselves have been reissued from time to time (not necessarily with the same label variation), if issued with any SLEEVE, the original sleeve was NEVER reissued. So, when you see Picture Sleeves like this, it was the ONLY one ever issued for this particular recording, making it quite RARE over time. Sleeves for RE-ISSUED RECORDS came only in a simple generic record company sleeve and was NEVER  a repeat of the original. This record was NEVER reissued!
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT PRICING HI-END ITEMS:   When sellers price Hi-End items, muchthought goes into the process of where an asking price might be. Buyers should be made aware of all of the extensive FEES that sellers must endure, such as ebay and Credit Card fees, which insome cases can be over $1,000.00. Although this site is a great place to buy and sell just about anything, there is in some cases, a substantial price one must pay for that luxury. However in this global marketplace, ebay  happens to be the most widely accepted vehicle especially for buying and selling items such as RARE VINYL RECORDS and other hard to come by COLLECTIBLES that otherwise might be difficult or impossible to locate. So we ask that buyers always consider these facts anytime one bids on something or MAKES A BEST OFFER. Thank You!
PURCHASED AS IS AND AS DESCRIBED!
Based upon current market and the investment values of over 50 years of collecting extremely rare and scarce pieces like this particular item, in auction format, the opening price would be the lowest at which the owner will be willing to sell. In fixed price format with the option of MAKE BEST OFFER,the owner will always consider all reasonable offers. Thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching!
Our Catalog Number is BAMW-903-PR-6017A
Please watch for SPECIAL SALES, or where it applies, please make your "BEST OFFER". Thanks for watching.
INSURANCE:  We do not typically provide insurance to any item due to the fact that this can amount to significant added cost. However, this added service is available to any buyer requesting it prior to invoicing. If items are not insured and are received damaged, immediately make the shipper aware of the damage. Once the item is packaged, inspected by, and leaves the seller, one can only hope that it is handled with care which is why insurance is always a good idea (if affordable and available in your country).Grading "VINYL" records can at times be a bit difficult and is not an exact science since it is based upon someone's opinion. Since opinions can differ, we want all buyers to know that whenever a purchase is made and the item is received, if you feel that our listed grading (by seasoned professionals) differs from what you feel it should be, ALWAYS contact us FIRST before filing a claim with Ebay. All items are inspected prior to packaging to insure that our description is accurate. However, we're not perfect and once in a while, items with hard to detect defects, can slip through   the cracks, therefore friendly dialogue between buyer and seller is always the best remedy to seeking any satisfactory solution. We will always make an attempt to achieve 100% customer satisfaction whenever possible. Remember that if you are not happy, we have not done our job! Thank you for visiting our site!
It is important to point out that when sellers on ebay set a price for any item, many factors are considered, one of which is the fact that the SELLER FEE can be up to 10% of the Sell Price.  So, when you think that the price listed might be higher than anticipated, please keep this added cost in mind. Thank you for watching!
All items are PROFESSIONALLY PACKAGED!DO NOT PAY UNTIL YOU READ THE FOLLOWING:FREE SHIPPING:  When "FREE SHIPPING"  is offered, it applies to the "BUY IT NOW" price (as long as the item is "NOT ON SALE" at the time of purchase) or ANY COLLECTIBLE OVER $50.00. (Batteries are not included). All others shall pay calculated shipping charges to their destination. Thank you.
ATTENTION ALL PROSPECTIVE BUYERS!  Thank you for visiting our site. We want to remind everyone that if you currently don't happen to see what you're looking for here on our site, it doesn't mean that wedon't have it in stock or can't get it for you. We simply cannot list everything that we have all at once. However, our current inventory includes THOUSANDS of VINYL Albums, PROMOS & 45s, CDs, DVDs, EPs, 78s, Cassette Tapes, VHS Movies, Metal Stampers and much more in the category that we would call "COLLECTIBLES". 
Unfortunately, it would have been impossible to list everything, so if you are looking for something in particular and don't happen to see it here today, simply send us a written REQUEST and we will be happy to list it for you. 
Thank you for watching and we look forward to hearing from you anytime!All vinyl records are sold on the basis of their collectibility, rarity, scarcity, with special consideration in some cases given specifically to whom the artist happens to be. Also factored in is the physical and visual examination of play surfaces, labels, outer jacket and the inner sleeve (where applicable)  and in most cases when there is obvious issues to the naked eye which would most certainly affect play. This would be a part of the item's description (however unless a record is of extreme rarity and does have value regardless of it's condition), we try to avoid ever selling severely damaged records. We point out that "THE BEATLES" are in a category of their own and in cases with many of their extremely rare items, we've sold some of their records even when they did have surface issues, however their value in any condition made these specific items retain certain value and collectibility and a buyer would be made aware of it before we would ever sell it. We don't play test every vinyl since we have tens of thousands of vinyl records in stock, making it impossible to play each of them. Please remember this when buying and always ask questions prior to finalizing any purchase.



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