Lot 8
  • 8

The Beatles

Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • The Beatles
  • Meet the Beatles!
  • paper, plastic
12 inch vinyl LP in original picture sleeve, red-stamped promotional copy; some fading, cover splitting.

Condition

some fading, cover splitting
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

signed to george's sister louise by the band and the best documented beatles signed album.

Louise Harrison was 11 years George's senior and had emigrated to America by the time the Beatles arrived in 1964. George visited her in 1963, making him the first Beatle to come to the US. Louise had even managed to get their early singles some local airplay in Illinois, a modest attempt to breeak the band in America.

Before The Beatles legendary appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, George was running a fever of 104 degrees, high enough that the hotel doctor recommended the hospital, but instead it was his older sister that took responsibility and helped nurse him well enough that the group was able to make their American  televsion debut. (Though his throat was so sore that George wasn't able to talk as much, forever helping to cement his reputation as the "quiet Beatle").

"“The doctor said he couldn’t do the Ed Sullivan Show because he had a temperature of 104. But they pumped him with everything. He was thinking about getting a nurse to administer the medicine, every hour on the hour. Then the doctor suddenly realized that I was there and was his sister and he said to me, ‘Would you see to it? It’s probably just as well that you’re here because I don’t think there’s a single female in the city that isn’t crazy about the Beatles! You’re probably the only one who could function around him normally.’”  (Louise Harrison Caldwell)

The present copy (certainly one of the first if not the first to be signed in the US) was inscribed by each Beatle to Louise (both Paul and George sign as her "brother") while on board a train to Washington, DC after their first weekend in New York.

Less than 20 full band signed US releases are known and the present is perhaps the most personal.