Featured Beatles Items
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The Most Famous Band of All Time
A selection of work from the masters of song that have been up for auction at the premiere auction houses like Christie's and Bonhams. As an unofficial site, I'm trying to make this as useful as possible for a Beatles resource by including as much as I can.
For a band with a body of work as iconic as theirs it's quite hard so would really appreciate any help. I want to do all the prices realised in chronological order of date item created.
The pages don't make any money - indeed I have to subsidise them through sales of memorabilia etc. So I have to find the time around getting money in to do these pages.
I do think it's important to have a catalogue of prices realised etc. So if you can help with any details on releases then I will put them here. Any info on the release, including date and country published, would be very useful. You can e-mail me here ihuppert5@aol.com - A selection of auctions
Thanks.
My GoFund Me Page: if you enjoy these pages then I'd be so grateful if you'll have a look but be warned: you'll see a man without a nose
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The Beatles - Management Agreement
1962
A rare signed copy of the revised Management Agreement between The Beatles and Brian Epstein dated 1st October, 1962, four days before the release of the group's debut single
The eight-page document of mimeographed typescript, completed and signed in blue ink and ballpoint pen, the contract between: NEMS Enterprises Limited...The Manager and John Winston Lennon, George Harrison, James Paul McCartney and Richard Starkey..The Artists and secondly between Harold Hargreaves Harrison and James McCartney - George and Paul's fathers' approval of the agreement was necessary as both were under 21 years old.
Sold: GBP 122,850
Christie's Pop Memorabilia including the Collection of Alexis Mardas, 5 May 2004, London, South Kensington
The Beatles - Please Please Me (Signed LP)
1963
Fantastic item. As good as it gets in terms of Beatles vinyl collecting
A RARE AUTOGRAPHED FIRST PRESSING OF THE ALBUM PLEASE PLEASE ME, Parlophone PMC1202, mono, black and gold label with Dick James Music Co publishing credits, the back cover inscribed to Dave, Best Wishes, from the Beatles, all the best, and signed in black felt tip by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr (who has added a smiley face next to his name), vinyl included, accompanied by a letter concerning the provenance.
Sold: GBP 36,312
Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia, 12 Jun 2019, London, Knightsbridge
The Beatles - Concert Poster, Carlisle
Thursday, 21st November 1963
An important early poster. For the ABC Cinema, Carlisle, 20in x 30in (50.8cm x 76.2cm).
Provenance: This rare-size poster was obtained by the vendor's father, who worked for ABC Cinemas. The job required him to visit cinemas in the north of England and southern Scotland to check tickets, stock and records. He also attended concerts at various cinemas to check on audience safety and the protection of ABC's assets, as well as acting as a part-time 'bouncer'.
Sold: GBP 23,812
Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia, 12 Jun 2019, London, Knightsbridge
The Beatles - Christmas Show Programme (Signed)
1963
The front cover signed in blue ballpoint by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, also signed on inner pages by all other artistes on the bill, 8½in x 11in closed (21.5cm x 28cm).
Sold: GBP 5,687
Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia, 12 Jun 2019, London, Knightsbridge
John Lennon - Cassandle Typescript
1964/65
FROM THE COLLECTION OF TOM MASCHLER
Typescript of "Cassandle", with manuscript corrections in blue ballpoint pen, the text divided into three sections, "You all Know Me", "The Way I See It" and "Koms der Revolution", 1 page, 4to (253 x 177mm.), [1964/5]
Sold: GBP 1,275
Bonhams Fine Books, Manuscripts, Atlases & Historical Photographs, 26 Jun 2019, London, Knightsbridge
The Beatles - Help! Poster
1965
United Artists. British quad, 30in x 40in (76.1cm x 101.6cm).
Sold: GBP 1,275
Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia, 17 Dec 2019, London, Knightsbridge
John Lennon - Autographed Photograph
1966
AN UNUSUAL AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOGRAPH OF JOHN LENNON
The full-length black and white portrait signed by John Lennon in black felt-tip pen, the reverse with Bild-Zeitung and photographer stamps and inscribed in blue ballpoint 96/9,66, together with various clippings from Bild dated 6. September 1966, the photograph 6½in x 9½in (16.5cm x 24.2cm).
Sold: GBP 10,062
Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia, 12 Jun 2019, London, Knightsbridge
Michael Cooper - Sgt Pepper Out-Take
Photographic Print, 1967 (Printed Later)
No. 7 of 25, C-Type print of the famous album cover for 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' by The Beatles, numbered to the bottom left corner and bearing the official and original Michael Cooper Collection dye stamp to the bottom right corner, mounted, framed and glazed, 24in x 24in (61cm x 61cm).
Sold: GBP 1,530
Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia, 12 Jun 2019, London, Knightsbridge
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Drumskin
1967
The legendary hand-painted bass drumskin used on the front cover of the Beatles' ground-breaking 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
The drumskin painted in gold, red, blue, green, pink and magenta and mounted on hardboard -- 30.5in. (77.5cm.) diam, the skin mounted on a matched rope tension wooden bass drum painted in regulation military blue and red, with laminated hardwood shell with Boosey & Hawkes Ltd., 295 Regent Street, London label; accompanied by a corresponding copy of the album; and a hand-written letter from Sir Peter Blake, signed, confirming authenticity.
Sold: GBP 541,250
Christie's Popular Culture: Rock & Pop Memorabilia, 10 July 2008, London, South Kensington
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Marlene Dietrich Standee (Signed)
1967
An autographed life-size standee of Marlene Dietrich used in the famous crowd scene in Peter Blake's design for the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, 1967
The cut-out hand-tinted photographic portrait on hardboard depicting Marlene Dietrich in a full-length ivory and yellow satin robe with lace scarf and tie belt with tasselled terminals, holding a cigarette between the scarlet manicured fingers of her left hand, the standee signed on the lower half in black felt pen by all four Beatles and at the foot on the right in black ballpoint pen by Peter Blake -- 70in. (177.8cm.) high, and a Tate Gallery exhibition label attached to the original hinged wooden stand on the reverse.
Sold: GBP 86,250
Christie's Pop Memorabilia, 30 April 2003, London, South Kensington
The Beatles - Yellow Submarine Animation Cel
1968
King Features, 1968. Original Multi-Layered Animation Cel Set-Up of Paul McCartney, George Harrison and John Lennon. Gouache on celluloid, three large hand-painted animation cels used in the production, showing John, Paul, and George in head and shoulders poses, each 15½in x 12in (39cm x 32cm).
Sold: GBP 3,562
Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia, 17 Dec 2019, London, Knightsbridge
The Beatles - Let It Be Acetate Recording
1969
This is an interesting one. A single-sided, 7inch 45rpm Emidisc, mono, label with typewritten recording details, in original plain paper sleeve.
Following a number of recording sessions for this track in early 1969, in a session on 4th January 1970, various vocal and instrumental overdubs were recorded, including drums by Ringo. This acetate is audibly different from the released version, lacking the drum fills from the verse 'And when the night is cloudy...' onwards.
Sold: GBP 3,687
Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia, 17 Dec 2019, London, Knightsbridge
The Beatles - Important Letter
1969
An important letter signed by John, George and Ringo, 18th April 1969, providing documentary evidence of one of the major catalysts behind the disbanding of The Beatles
The single page typescript letter addressed to Lee Eastman, formally notifying him that he was ...not authorized to act or hold yourself out as the attourney [sic] or legal representative of "The Beatles" or of any of the companies which the Beatles own or control..., acknowledging that the three signatories to the letter would co-operate with Mr. Eastman in his capacity as Paul McCartney's personal lawyer, and instructing Eastman to forward all Beatles associated material he had to ABKCO INDUSTRIES INC. [Allen Klein's company], signed in red felt pen John Lennon, in blue ballpoint pen Richard Starkey and in brown felt pen George Harrison 1p. framed
Sold: GBP 48,000
Christie's Pop Memorabilia, 5 May 2005, London, South Kensington
The Beatles - Let It Be Poster
1970
United Artists, 1970. A Poster For The Film. British quad, 30in x 40in (76.1cm x 101.6cm)
Sold: GBP 510
Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia, 17 Dec 2019, London, Knightsbridge
George Harrison - Zemaitis 12-String Acoustic Guitar
1974
Commissioned By George As A Gift For Denis O'Brien
Labelled ZEMAITIS/handmade/standard, the label also signed and inscribed in blue ink Anthony Casimere Zemaitis, KENT '74 and D.O'B from G.H., with stained spruce top, mahogany back and sides, heart-shaped soundhole decorated with mother of pearl dot inlays, 'smiling' ebony pin bridge, mahogany neck with 20-fret ebony fingerboard with dot inlays, headstock with two decorative metal plaques, one engraved with the letter Z, the other engraved D * OBRIEN, with a black hardshell, contoured case with claret plush lining, guitar 44in (112cm) long.
Sold: GBP 18,812
Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia, 17 Dec 2019, London, Knightsbridge
Paul McCartney - Signed Postcards, Vinyl, CDs
2000
Comprising: two postcards, dated June and December 2000, written in blue and black ballpoints by Paul and addressed to his MPL offices in London, the June example sent from New York, remarking...having a grand time, inducting Brian Wilson into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and jamming with James Brown..., the other sent from Courchevel, France, stating ...Apres ski jolly + relaxing...love Paul and Heather; two Run Devil Run limited edition box sets, with leaflet; a mint and boxed Run Devil Run promo 'Jukebox' radio/cassette player; seven various boxed painted wood MPL Christmas tree decorations, 2000s; a boxed MPL 'No Struggle Juggle' juggling kit, with three balls, Christmas 2001; thirteen various Paul McCartney CD releases.
Sold: GBP 3,562
Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia, 17 Dec 2019, London, Knightsbridge
Richard Hamilton - The Beatles Print
2007
Inkjet digital print in colours, 2007, on Somerset Enhanced Radiant White Velvet paper, signed and numbered 2/80 in pencil, published by Alan Cristea Gallery, London, the full sheet, in very good condition, framed. Image 865 x 570mm. (43 1/8 x 22 7/8in.); Sheet 1050 x 760mm. (41 3/8 x 29 7/8in.)
Sold: GBP 2,805
Bonhams Prints and Multiples, 11 Dec 2019, London, New Bond Street
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Featured Beatles Items
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