The Beatles

original colour transparencies within “Agfacolor Service” plastic mounts, 1964, some slight surface dirt (8)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These entirely unknown and unpublished shots were taken by an amateur photographer in 1964. The photographer was at Isleworth Polytechnic and was taking a shortcut home through Greenham Park in the late morning or early afternoon. By chance he was carrying his camera and "noticed a band of people and equipment and a flurry of activity going on". When he recognized The Beatles he was "surprised to see that there were no crowds or fans and it was a very orderly mundane filming in progress. I got close to a young lady sitting looking quite resigned to killing time and asked her if it was okay to take some photographs and explained that I was just a lowly student from the local polytechnic! Without giving it a thought or hesitation she said yes, to go ahead and that it was ok. I realised much later that the young lady was Cynthia Lennon. I took eight shots and spent what seemed like an absolute age watching… I was not in awe of watching the process but what surprised me was the sets! For example the scene where they run, climb a wall and jump over onto a concrete floor was in fact a run onto a wooden step ladder, over a soft foam/polystyrene type wall and a concrete-coloured canvas to look like a concrete base. But on film these look exceptionally real."