Ultra-rare Stones' High Tide and Green Grass with withdrawn cover: is this real?

Do any of you fine folk know of this supposedly rare deleted cover for the Big Hits: High Tide and Green Grass comp from '66? The color of the river is much darker and the band name and album title are on two lines in lowercase, italic type. It must be a real thing since this copy sold last month for $2669; there is currently a cover only on ebay for $6K, and popsike and discogs indicate a few other sales of this record over the past decade in the 4K-6K range.

Does anyone know the story behind the cover? Why was it withdrawn? The ebay listing claims that only seven are known to exist — can that possibly be true? How did however many copies there are get out?

ROLLING STONES US BIG HITS High Tide... ALT ALTERNATE WITHDRAWN COVER MATTE NP-1 »

I ask because I have one and find it impossible to believe I own something so rare.

 

i'm no expert but i am a graphic designer and the answer to the question "why was it withdrawn?" seems pretty obvious!

but congrats on owning one and i hope it's in better condition than the one in the ebay link.

 

I have actually seen a beat up one in a vinyl dump bin before, so maybe they aren't so rare. I didn't buy that one because it was overpriced, but indeed the cover variation is a curiosity.

 

It's real. Somebody has to end up with one, so might as well be the OP. Sell High!

 

Ya, my guess is that the river is too dark and the text impossible to read. But I can't find any substantive info about it online, which is odd in this day and age. So if anyone knows any more details, please let me know, and thanks!

Mine is in better condition than the one in the ebay listing.

 

It's not a river. It's Franklin Lake in L.A.'s Franklin Canyon Park. It's the same place the opening credits for the Andy Griffith Show were filmed.

 

I've seen this before and AFAIK it's legit.

 

Interesting tidbit - did not know that. Thanks!

 

Actually it's the Hollywood Reservoir. Franklin Canyon is miles away

 

Take it up with Wikipedia:

Franklin Canyon Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia »

 

For something ultra rare, it's interesting that another one is already up for sale on ebay.

 

The UK cover is much nicer and laminated. $ 6,ooo for a different color US cover? What did P. T. Barnum say?

 

@John Fell : You're the first person I turn to about all things Stones. You got any story on this one? Bill doesn't talk about it in his book Rolling With The Stones.

As far as this original cover's concerned, it's really creepy compared to what came out.

The released cover, however, is one of my favorite Stones' covers of all time.

 

I agree.

 

Thanks for all the info. It's very strange to me, and I am naturally skeptical of that ebay seller's story that only six (seven counting his) copies are known to exist. I don't see where his info has come from as there is very little about it online aside from the few recorded sales on popsike, discogs and ebay. I hope some RS experts contribute with more details!

 

Esp when it's cover only "no media"!

 

That's a bit like saying "Take it up with Alfred E. Neuman."

And here's an example of the incestious nature of information on the internet:

The Rolling Stones - Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass) »

Either the ebay listing used the photos from discogs or discogs used the ebay photos. Either way, we end up with two sources claiming the existence of six or seven known copies with no real proof offered from either source.

 

thanks for the andy trivia

 

sorry you got your panties ruffled but I stand by what I say it's the Hollywood Reservoir look at the picture below the ep franklin lake is nowhere near that size

 

Great how the camera man places Brian Jones as the central focus in the pics.Even the red typeface matches his hipster pants.

 

I like that alternative cover - it's very dated looking but I kinda like the typography.

Never noticed that the UK cover shows Brian's bandaged hand. It's a cool layout but the Stones all look incredibly ugly in that photo, like they's spent the previous 9 hours drinking and the sun just came up.

 

I take it back please forgive

 

Throw in some pot and you are probably dead on with that assessment.

 

I believe I had that version of album on vinyl years ago. Sold it for $120 2 years ago.
The $2000 odd price I saw on eBay brought a few tears of rage!

I also crazily sold original pressings of Jimi Hendrix for under $50 each a few years ago as well.

 

a photo of that cover in James Karnbach book (ultimate guide...) p 275...