The Beatles Group of (5) Original and Unique Album Cover and Sleeve Art Designs For Once-Planned 4-LP Compilation Set, All Sig... (Total: 5 Items)

Description

The Beatles Group of (5) Original and Unique Album Cover and Sleeve Art Designs For Once-Planned 4-LP Compilation Set, All Signed and Dated "1968" By Acclaimed Pop Artist Jim Dine. This lot of five framed pieces of artwork were commissioned by the Beatles for a special multi-album project proposed by Capitol Records to commemorate the label's five-year anniversary (in January 1969) of their first Beatles album release in the United States (Meet the Beatles! in January of 1964).

ARTIST: Jim Dine (American b. 1935)

TITLE/DESCRIPTION: Five (5) Album art designs for one Beatles multi-album compilation set: one (1) with all four names of the band members (cover design), and and four (4) separate album sleeve designs - one each titled John, Paul, George and Ringo.

MEDIUM: Soft graphite drawings with the Beatles' names stenciled in glossy black pigment. Color elements: brush applied color inks and/or watercolor, coated with clear, matte fixative spray.

SIGNATURE: Each signed and dated 1968 in light pencil in lower right.

SUPPORT: medium heavy weight, translucent, drafting vellum.

SIZE: Each 16 3/4" H x 14 7/8 W (23.5" x 20" framed). When hung side by side, with 6" space between each piece, it stretches to a total of 10.33 feet!

CONDITION: Near Mint overall.

PROVENANCE:
1968 to 1973 - Capitol Records
1973 to 2009 - Salvatore Iannucci (former President of Capitol Records, 1969-1971) (For additional information, we have provided a copy of the original letter denoting the sale, but it does not come with the lot.)
Bonham's & Butterfields, Modern, Contemporary, and Latin American Art, November 17, 2009, Lot 1118
2009 to present - Private collection, San Francisco Bay Area

It is quite the rare and momentous occasion, indeed, when we come across something so intimately Beatles related that is so cool, so fantastic and cinematic . . . that we never even knew existed . . . until now! That's right, we are extremely thrilled and honored to present to you this extraordinary one-of-a-kind collection of five Beatles commissioned album art designs.

Fifteen years ago, in 2009, the artworks suddenly appeared in a contemporary art auction one would expect for Jim Dine's works. This five-piece set sold for over $50k even though important details of the Beatles project were still a mystery at that time. Over the years more and more missing pieces revealed themselves, filing in the gaps, uncovering an incredible once-planned Beatles 4-LP compilation set sure to delight fans back in the day, as well as all Beatles history enthusiasts and collectors today.

Read on for an edge-of-your-seat story of these incomparably unique relics of Beatles lore created by one of America's beloved Pop artists.

In late 1968, Capitol, the Beatles' record manufacturer/distributor in the States, reached out to the Beatles with a novel idea for a multi-album compilation set, destined to become a fan favorite. The idea was that John, Paul, George and Ringo would each have their own LP that included their own personally selected favorite Beatle songs, along with their own spoken introductions to each song. Fans would eat it up. This 4-LP set would purportedly commemorate the fifth anniversary of Capitol's release of Meet the Beatles, that January of 1969.

The Beatles largest fanbase was in the U.S., and this special set of Beatles favorites was first to be released by Capitol in the States, on the Beatles' Apple label. A later release in England was projected as well. The project was green-lighted, and the album artwork was commissioned by the Beatles and even press announcements were made the first two weeks of 1969. Sadly, for all us Beatles fans, the project was ultimately shelved before completion. Fortunately for all of us, the five original designs of cover and sleeve art survived and are presented here today! How cool is that?

The Beatles commissioned the 4-LP set cover and sleeve designs through their friend, once again, the top art dealer and promoter of Pop art in "Swinging '60's" London, tastemaker extraordinaire, Robert Fraser (aka, Groovy Bob). Robert Fraser Gallery's stable of British and American artists included Peter Blake and wife Jann Haworth (co-creators of the iconic Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover design - Fraser himself was the art director), as well as Richard Hamilton (creator of the iconic The Beatles cover design - aka The White Album). So, it's no surprise that another of Fraser's noted artists, Jim Dine, was commissioned to create the art for the 4-LP set. An interesting side note; in 1969, Jim Dine also designed a compilation album cover for Cream's greatest hits album, Best of Cream. The cover art is full of interesting intrigue as well (cream of the crop?).

Dine was closely associated with the origins of Pop Art in the early '60s. In 1966, Dine and Fraser made international news with the New York Times headline story: "ART BY AMERICAN SEIZED IN LONDON; 21 Pop Paintings by Jim Dine Confiscated as 'Obscene'." The free publicity catapulted both artist and gallery to greater celebrity in art circles globally.

Not long after Jim Dine completed the five works in late '68, Disc and Music Echo newspaper had an astonishing front page headline story on January 4, 1969: Beatles Plan Five New LPs - One Live. The Beatles' Press Officer Derek Taylor announced the Beatles were soon to release five LPs including their first "live" album, as well as the special 4-LP compilation set previously mentioned. This was huge news for Beatles' fans around the world!

The following week, the January 11 issue of Melody Maker featured another article about the forthcoming 4-LP project and "live" album, titled BEATLES CHOICE - On LP. (An original copy of this is included with the lot.) Alas, that January 11 article would be the last time we heard about the Capitol 4-LP set. It is believed, within the following week, both the planned 4-LP set and "live" LP projects were shelved among others. Not a surprise to most who watched Peter Jackson's The Beatles: Get Back and saw the groups plans frequently changing those first stressful weeks of 1969, including George quitting altogether from Jan. 10th to the 15th.

Back to the art and the artist. What made the Dine Beatles art commission so special is his five works would decorate not only the outside jacket cover but the four inside album sleeves as well.

And why toothbrushes you ask?

Since 1962, Dine's Pop Art studies had reinvestigated toothbrushes, and other ordinary everyday household objects, time and again. He believed these personal things carry a deeper meaning, an innate power in their ability to be immediately recognizable, familiar, and something that we can all relate to. By celebrating them they are transformed into something more significant, hence elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Jim Dine revisiting his iconic subject of toothbrushes in a cup fit perfectly with the concept and format of the 4-LP set of four individual albums in one set. The cup symbolizing all four individuals together in one group or family. Inside the jacket would be four separate albums, each sleeve with the toothbrush design identifying that independent individual's LP of personal song selections.

Dine brilliantly realized John, Paul, George and Ringo were the most recognizable group of four people on the planet. He understood their last names, the band name, or even a picture was unnecessary. No need. They were as familiar to us as a family member, a pet or even our own personal toothbrush. The group of four reached the summit that only Elvis had as an individual. Just their first name would do, that's all we needed . . . just John, Paul, George and Ringo. Iconic!

Beatles album artworks have all reached iconic status and these were destined to become iconic as well, joining the others in album cover art books today. A groundbreaking and audacious feat of name recognition, never before achieved for a group of four people. Most assuredly, the toothbrush subject would have been a head-scratcher to many (as well as parodied by some), adding to its popularity, mystique, and allure joining other surviving relics of Beatles memorabilia.

Clearly, Jim Dine and the Beatles realized these five Pop Art images carried symbolism and deeper meaning than merely simple and literal translation, and reveled in the fact that each person will interpret the meaning in their own personal way. Such is art.

It's important to note these were approved and not merely submitted to the group, and turned down, as was often the case with previous album art for the band. No, these were finished before the planned 4-LP release was announced. We know this since the art was completed in '68, before the public announcement in early '69.

Lastly, Jim's official Instagram account (@jimdinestudio) still includes his 2018 remembrances of his Beatles art commission, a must-read for those interested in this lot.

Way cool, and worthy of huge bragging rights for the next lucky owner of this large and cinematic display of one-of-a-kind original Beatles associated artworks.

The only other approved album artworks we know of were featured on Beatles album releases. If any of the iconic cover art ever came to market, it would likely have great interest in the seven figures. This may be the only opportunity that ever comes along for a collector to own actual Beatles approved album artwork for an album project, that was previously announced to the press, before ultimately being shelved. Had the albums been released, this artwork would surely have reached iconic status as well.

Included with this lot are complete original copies of the January 4 and January 11, 1969 music trade newspapers, both with articles about the Capitol 4-LP plans (see photos above). Also included is a photocopy of the original two-page purchase agreement between Mr. Iannucci and Capitol Records, dated October 30, 1973. All relevant and important pieces to the story of this sensational auction lot. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: Jim Dine is an important and internationally renowned artist associated with numerous pivotal art movements of the 20th century, including Dada, Neo-Dada, Surrealism, Neo-Expressionism, Performance Art, Conceptual Art, Illustration and Pop Art over the last 6 1/2 decades.

Always seeking deeper meaning, and the avoidance of labels, Dine has been prolific in numerous art forms including painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography, illustration, performance and poetry.


Since 1960, Jim Dine has exhibited in over 300 solo and group shows, worldwide. His works are featured in many of the world's top museums. Jim is still actively creating out of his Paris studio, in 2024, at age 88.


Heritage Auctions provides as much information as possible but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of fact, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted but may be visible in the photos, which are considered part of the condition report. Lots estimated at $1,000 or less are not de-framed for inspection, and we may be unable to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and is not liable for damage to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or artwork that has shifted in the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" under our Terms & Conditions of Auction.