'Rare' Beatles record with 'McArtney' typo sold

The Beatles in July 1965: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison

A rare pressing of The Beatles' debut single that features a typo on the label failed to sell at auction - but has since found a new owner.

The 1962 demonstration record, which features the band's songs Love Me Do and P.S I Love You, is one of only 250 copies in the world.

It is considered to be unique because Paul McCartney's surname is incorrectly spelt in the credits as "McArtney".

The record has now been sold, despite not being able reach the reserve price at an auction on Monday at Stacey's Auctioneers near Chelmsford, Essex.

The record is seen as unique because Paul McCartney's surname is incorrectly spelt in the credits as "McArtney"

It was estimated that the seven-inch vinyl record would sell between £7,000 to £9,000 at the auction.

It failed to meet that threshold, but an undisclosed offer near the lower reserve price was accepted after the auction.

David MacGregor, of Stacey's Auctioneers, said: "Around this time of year, we get less bidding.

"We did get interest from around the world, and we put the price up to what we thought was a reasonable price."

Mr MacGregor said 250 copies of the record were pressed to be sent as promotional copies to radio stations ahead of the single's release in October 1962.

"This is a really really rare Beatles single and one that is very hard to track down," he said.

"It came in from a Beatles collector who decided that they wanted to sell."