Charity's 'Hidden Treasure': Slightly Warped Beatles' Demo

In 1962, 250 demos of the Beatles' debut single were sent to radio stations. Nearly 60 years and 600 million album sales later, one of those turned up at a charity store operated by the British Heart Foundation, which will bring in at least $7,400 from its sale. "This was like finding hidden treasure," a BHF area manager tells Sky News of pulling the seven-inch demo of "Love Me Do" out of a box of donated records. He adds the charity in Midhurst, England, has been unable to trace the donor, who was probably unaware of the record's value.

"Had this demo not been sent around to all these radio stations, you may have never heard of The Beatles today!" reads an auction description on eBay, noting the record has light surface marks and a "slight warp." The demo, whose hasty label gives credit to songwriters "Lennon-McArtney," was recorded at EMI Studios in London's Abbey Road with one of three possible drummers—Ringo Starr, Pete Best, or Andy White, per the London Economic. The going price is roughly $7,400 as of this writing. Bidding closes Wednesday at approximately 6pm EST. (Photos of the band sold for much more.)