Seven inch appears at auction
An early single by The White Stripes has sold for an astonishing $18,000 at auction.
The White Stripes may now be members of rock royalty, but at one point the duo were a cult DIY story. Booking their own shows, the Detroit group released material through tiny independent labels.
Jack White's work ethic drove The White Stripes on, releasing a flurry of limited edition singles. Now an early release by the blues pairing has sold for a jaw dropping $18,000 at auction in the United States.
'Lafayette Blues' was initially released in 1998, through the obscure Italy Records. The single was a minor success in Detroit, originally selling for $6 through an outlet at the city's Gold Dollar venue.
Emphasising the DIY nature of the release, Jack White stepped in to hand paint the cover. Ably assisted by label boss Dave Buick, only fifteen copies of 'Lafayette Blues' were ever completed by the pair, reports Consequence Of Sound.
The single comes before the release of the band's debut album, and the rising price reflects a shift in The White Stripes stature. Back in 2003, a copy of the same single sold for a mere $800.
12 months later, another was sold at auction for $2,700. The new record breaking price is fairly astonishing, with $18,000 toppling the previous record for White Stripes related material.
Despite the rarity and subsequent value of the single, an even rarer item is still out there. The copy of 'Lafayette Blues' recently sold was painted by Buick, rather than White - a sleeve painted by the guitarist would be worth more.
Meanwhile, the long wait for a new White Stripes single stretches on.
The White Stripes may now be members of rock royalty, but at one point the duo were a cult DIY story. Booking their own shows, the Detroit group released material through tiny independent labels.
Jack White's work ethic drove The White Stripes on, releasing a flurry of limited edition singles. Now an early release by the blues pairing has sold for a jaw dropping $18,000 at auction in the United States.
'Lafayette Blues' was initially released in 1998, through the obscure Italy Records. The single was a minor success in Detroit, originally selling for $6 through an outlet at the city's Gold Dollar venue.
Emphasising the DIY nature of the release, Jack White stepped in to hand paint the cover. Ably assisted by label boss Dave Buick, only fifteen copies of 'Lafayette Blues' were ever completed by the pair, reports Consequence Of Sound.
The single comes before the release of the band's debut album, and the rising price reflects a shift in The White Stripes stature. Back in 2003, a copy of the same single sold for a mere $800.
12 months later, another was sold at auction for $2,700. The new record breaking price is fairly astonishing, with $18,000 toppling the previous record for White Stripes related material.
Despite the rarity and subsequent value of the single, an even rarer item is still out there. The copy of 'Lafayette Blues' recently sold was painted by Buick, rather than White - a sleeve painted by the guitarist would be worth more.
Meanwhile, the long wait for a new White Stripes single stretches on.
The White Stripes
