In 1966 the Beatles courted controversy with the release of their album Yesterday and Today. The source of the outrage was the graphic, frightening, and decidedly “non-Beatles” cover of the album. The four Liverpudlians are pictured in white lab coats, surrounded by dismembered baby dolls and chunks of meat. Capitol Records distributed this LP, until public outcry forced them to recall the shipped albums. However, a small amount of these album covers survived, making this one of the rarest pieces of Beatles memorabilia in existence.

     This album also generated a modicum of controversy within the Beatles in addition to the public, with John Lennon and Paul McCartney using the imagery as a critique of the ongoing Vietnam War and the atrocities committed therein. George Harrison and producer George Martin had differing opinions, calling the album cover “naïve” and “in poor taste”. Ultimately, it is up to the fan to decide if this album is an incisive critique of a controversial war, or a superficial attempt at shock and awe. Paul McCartney signed this instance of the album cover. He used a fine tipped blue marker to pen his signature and his signature comes authenticated by Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication, who has provided a LOA (A02973).

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