The Beatles
A Rare And Early Set Of Autographs By The Beatles And Brian Epstein, 1962
Lot Closed
September 12, 01:19 PM GMT
Estimate
7,000 - 9,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
A promotional photo card with black & white image of the Beatles, the reverse printed 'With Best Wishes from Paul Pete John George / The Beatles / April 5th 1962', signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint by John Lennon ('love to Margaret John Lennon XXX'), twice by Pete Best (both inscribed 'love to Margaret from Pete Best XXX'), in black ballpoint by Paul McCartney ('love to Margaret, from Paul XXX McCartney XXX') and George Harrison ('love from George Harrison XXXX'), additionally signed in black ink by Brian Epstein ('Brian X MANAGE' [sic]).
Dimensions
5 3/4in x 4in (14cm x 10cm)
Provenance
Obtained by the current owner's mother on a visit to Liverpool in 1965, where she befriended a barmaid named Margaret who was a close neighbour of Paul McCartney at that time. On the last day of her visit she was gifted this signed card which had been a 21st birthday present from the Beatles.
These promotional photo cards were handed out at a Cavern Club concert honoring their newly-formed Official Fan Club on the 5th April 1962, with additional copies believed to have been handed out at the opening of the Star-Club, Hamburg days later.
While the first set by the Beatles on this night was performed in their leather ensemble like those illustrated on this photo, they finished the night in their new Douglas Millings suits and ties as part of Brian Epstein's rebranding efforts. Epstein was also responsible for organising the photoshoot by Albert Marrion at which this image of Beatles was originally taken, on the 17th December 1961.
It is exceedingly rare to see such an early set of Beatles autographs together with the autograph of their manager Brian Epstein.