Tickets, programmes and concert paraphernalia...

One of the first lots we have received for the 2010 Auction is this example of an unused ticket from early 1965

Tickets are something that tended to be thrown away or lost so they have some value. And unused ones are quite rare, as most people went to the shows and therefore had their ticket stubs torn off.

This ticket currently carries an estimate of £250 to £300.

In last year's auction this Pop Prom ticket stub reached £160 and a programme for the same show reached £420

And a ticket for a recording of The Beatles on Juke Box Jury which was recorded at The Liverpool Empire Theatre in 1963 reached £360.

Values depend on the concert and condition of the items. Some concert programmes crop up regularly and therefore don't command the same kind of price as rarer ones.

Handbills and posters were also items that were often thrown away and therefore originals of these can be highly sought after by collectors.

Of course not all Beatles concerts had tickets. When they played in various clubs the "ticket" to get in was your club membership card. So Cavern Club cards dating from the times they played there are considered the equivalent of a ticket. Later membership cards don't have quite the same value as the band stopped playing the club as their fame escalated.

Membership cards for other Liverpool clubs are sought after for the same reason as Cavern Club Cards. In last year's auction a very rare membership card for The Casbah Club valid at a time when the Beatles would have appeared at the club reached an whopping £1,950.




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If you have any items of interest for the auction please contact us. Click the link on the right for details of how to get in touch.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Back in '64

1964 saw the world explode with Beatlemania and Beatle memorabilia. Some of that memorabilia is popular among fans and collectors.

Some of the items we regularly see are from the Washington Pottery range. Depending on what the item is and its condition the prices for these range between about £30-£60.


Bowl (note - this picture is in black and white)


Cup


Biscuit plate - note this originally came with a black cup not the cup shown above.


Candy Dishes


Other novelty items from this time include bubble baths, jigsaws, a Flip Your Wig board game, stockings and much more.

Here's a couple more examples.


Talc tin by Margo of Mayfair £120-£140 approx. (black and white photo)


Ladies compact £120-£125 approx.

If you have items you would like us to consider placing in next year's auction, or you are just curious about the value of a Beatles item you have please take a look at our previous blog entry here.



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Some prices from the 2009 Auction.

Here is the list of prices that items we featured in this blog went for in the auction this year. If an item isn't listed it either didn't reach it's reserve or we are unable to to give out the information for various reasons.

13 - Peter Blake signed exhibition leaflet £22
19 - The Beatles Authorised Biography 1968 signed by author Hunter Davies £46
20 - Imagine card signed by Yoko Ono with mailing envelope £46
29 - March 1970 NEMS Record catalogue signed by Joey Molland of Badfinger £15
30 - March 1960 NEMS Record catalogue signed by Allan Williams £25
31 - Sean Ono Lennon signature on black and white photograph of John Lennon £45
32 - George Martin signature on Chrysalis Records compliment slip £65
62 - Beatles photograph signed on the reverse by Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney £360
85 - Ringo Starr signature on black and white Beatles photo £130
109 - NEMS Letter Headed Notepaper dated 1st August 1962 enquiring about booking for The Beatles sign by Brian Epstein £2,300
110 - NEMS Letter Headed Notepaper dated January 1963 enquiring about booking Beatles £160
111 - NEMS Letter Headed Notepaper dated 9th February 1963 informing that The Beatles fee is £150, signed by Brian Epstein £1,850
115 - Original section of Cavern Club stage £2,600
150 - Hand made sign requesting “Paul on Sunday Sing For Rita Hot Lips A Taste of Honey” this was read out by Paul at The Cavern Club and is signed on the reverse by Paul McCarntey £1,350
155 - The Beatles Pop Prom programme, Royal Albert Hall 15th September 1963 £420
156 - The Beatles Pop Prom Royal Albert Hall ticket stub 15th September 1963 £160
199 - Help postcard signed of the reverse by Victor Spinetti and Leo McKern with an original Help paperback book £50
215 - John Lennon and George Harrison signatures, framed and mounted £1,100
216 - Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr signatures, framed and mounted £400
224 - Complete set of 1967 Beatles signatures obtained during the filming of Magical Mystery Tour £4,500
225 - Paul McCartney signed Beatles Monthly Magazine centre page. £260
226 - Postcard from Ringo and Barbara handwritten by Barbara to Ringo's parents. £180
229 - Please Please Me original UK red label issue, single signed by Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr £2,900
232 - An original Quarry Bank High School For Boy, Calderstones, Liverpool May 1957 photograph featuring John Lennon £450
233 - The Casbah Coffee Club Membership card dated 19-11-61 to 19-11-62 £1,950
238 - Letter from the IFA requesting clearance for use of photographs. John Lennon has written reply on bottom of letter £1,350
239 - Original 7th August 1953 photograph of Paul McCartney at a children’s party in Childwall Liverpool £1,350
284 - Cynthia Lennon signed copy of A Twist Of Lennon paperback 1978 £60
291 - A Walrus Costume worn by Mark McGann from Lennon Musical Play 1981 £60
296 - 1958 Payment book for Epstein’s Ltd Walton Road Liverpool £30
306 - Klaus Voormann signed invitation to opening of exhibition at The Mathew Street Gallery 2000 £25
308 - John Lennon signed and inscribed card Love John Lennon and annotated with Lennon's caricature portraits of his and Yoko's smiling Faces £1,500
309 - The Beatles autographs in biro on reverse of paper envelope £1,700
316 - 1948/49 School photograph from St Silas School, Liverpool featuring Ringo Starr £450
318 - Original 1952 16th Allerton Group St Aiden Troop Boy Scouts photograph £400.

And a few other highlights from this year's auction (that didn't get a mention on this blog) include -
34 - One page handwritten letter by John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi dated 10th October 1966 £150
35 - One page handwritten letter by John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi dated 3rd May 1968 £140
118 - 8th September 1962 Heswall Jazz Club handbill and ticket for Gerry and the Pacemakers £70
119 - 1st September 1962 Heswall Jazz Club handbill and ticket for Billy J Kramer with the Coasters £100
180 - The Beatles Juke Box Jury Ticket Liverpool Empire 7th December 1963 £360

If you have items you would like us to consider placing in next year's auction, or you are just curious about the value of a Beatles item you have please take a look at our previous blog entry here.

Valuations and items for 2010.

Hopefully we will soon be able to publish a list with some of the prices from the 2009 auction. Please keep calling back to check, once all the paperwork is done we will be able to let you know what prices items went for.

In the meantime, we have started to consider items for the auction in 2010.

All our valuations are FREE.

There are various ways we can assess your items.
You can bring them into the shop for us to look at. It is best to call in advance to be certain someone will be available to look at your items. If you just call in on the off the chance then please try not to make it a Friday as the person you will need to see isn't usually available that day. The shop is open every day of the week however so there's plenty of other opportunities.
You can also email the shop sending as much detail about your items as possible, preferably with photographs. The same applies if you contact us via the post. Scans or good quality photocopies of the items are useful.

We will not assess any autographed items without seeing them, whether in person or via a good, clear photograph, scan or laser photocopy.

If contacting us via post please enclose a stamped addressed envelope for a reply.

All our contact details are available through the "Contact Us" link on the sidebar on the right hand side of this page.

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Be Prepared - for another McCartney pic!

Our absolutely final lot for this year's auction is a photograph of Paul McCartney as a boy scout in 1952 when he was a member of the 16th Allerton Group St Aiden Troop.



The full photograph carries an estimate of £400-£500


Quick reminder that the viewing day is Friday at the Paul McCartney Auditorium at LIPA from 11am to 4pm, and the auction begins Saturday morning at 10am. (There is no time to view any lots on the morning of the sale.)

An pdated pdf file of the catalogue is now available - follow the link on the top right below "catalogues now available" and follow the old link on that post that will take you to the new version of the file.

Please note the following corrections to the previous versions
Lot 307 The Beatles Now magazine Seventeen Issues (17) Estimate £15-£20
Lot 313 Original Photograph date should read September 1950
as well as the additional lots on the end.

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Please see the FAQ and Buyer Notes (links in side bar) for details how to attend the auction to bid on this item, or for the details on absentee bids.

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We have now stopped taking items in to the Auction. However if you have something you would like us to look at please use the contact details link on the sidebar.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Early McCartney Signature.

Even at an early age Paul was preparing for fame, signing for his school mates!


This is possibly one of the earliest Paul McCartney autographs ever.
In 1953 as his class left Joseph Williams school he signed the back of a class photograph for a school mate.

This will be the final item offered for sale in the Liverpool Beatles Auction and carries an estimate of £5000-£6000

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Please see the FAQ and Buyer Notes (links in side bar) for details how to attend the auction to bid on this item, or for the details on absentee bids.

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We have now stopped taking items in to the Auction. However if you have something you would like us to look at please use the contact details link on the sidebar.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Lots for LIPA.

The two lots below are being sold in the Liverpool Beatles Auction on behalf of Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts

227 A pair of custom Shimano STX Bikes presented to Paul & Linda McCartney by Grundig in 1993. The Shimano STX series mountain bikes feature custom designs to reflect Paul & Linda’s personalities and interests and were decorated by Norbert Cames a highly respected airbrush artist. The individual artwork on each
bike was inspired by the couples shared love of the environment and music. Paul McCartney’s bike features guitar strings and dolphins, and Linda’s featuring keyboards and birds. Both bikes were ridden by Paul and Linda and while in a perfect working condition have been used. £5500-£6500



228 Limited edition lithograph of George Martin’s score for The Beatles song Yesterday printed complete with mistakes and tea stains. The lithograph was framed and mounted by Lord Lindley and is numbered and hand signed by Paul McCartney and George Martin £5500-£6500

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Please see the FAQ and Buyer Notes (links in side bar) for details how to attend the auction to bid on this item, or for the details on absentee bids.

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We have now stopped taking items in to the Auction. However if you have something you would like us to look at please use the contact details link on the sidebar.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Ringo School Photograph.

Hot on the heels of the rare school photographs of Paul McCartney we are able to go back further in time to 1948/49 for a school photograph from St Silas C of E school featuring an eight year old Richard Starkey aka Ringo Starr.


Ringo was ill a lot as a child and therefore missed a lot of school making a photograph featuring him with his classmates even more of a rarity.

The photograph is Lot 316 and carries an estimate of £600-£700

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Please see the FAQ and Buyer Notes (links in side bar) for details how to attend the auction to bid on this item, or for the details on absentee bids.

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We have now stopped taking items in to the Auction. However if you have something you would like us to look at please use the contact details link on the sidebar.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Catalogue and Viewing Day.

The auction catalogues are now available.

You can call into the shop for a copy at £4.00 each or email auction@thebeatleshop.co.uk for mail order details.

To view an online pdf version of the catalogue click here - or right click and save it to your computer. (Note: The pdf version of the catalogue does not allow you entry to the auction, entry to the auction is via the purchase of a printed catalogue. A catalogue allows to people into the auction. Also please be sure to check the FAQ and Buyer's Notes through the links on the right if you are going to bid on any items.)

If you have booked a Beatle Week package with Cavern City Tours please be sure to swap your voucher for your catalogue. You can do this at the shop at any time over the event (even after the auction is over) There should also be someone at the Adelphi when you collect your tickets with catalogues ready to collect your vouchers and, of course you can exchange them at the auction venue on both the viewing day and the day of the auction.

Viewing day is Friday 28th August from 11am to 4pm at the Paul McCartney Auditorium at LIPA where the auction will be held the next morning (Saturday 29th). Please note, items will NOT be available for viewing on the Saturday before the auction commences as everything will be laid out ready for the event to begin.

All I have is a photograph...

I'm sure we've all got dusty albums somewhere with school photographs in them. Rows upon rows of uniformed school chums all sent to school as smart as possible that day ready for the annual picture to be taken.

But what if you went to school with a Beatle? That would mean that in amongst those rows of school chums would be youthful versions of musicians that would go on to change the face of popular music world wide!

In this year's auction we have three school photographs.

First of all we have a long panoramic photograph from Quarry Bank School which features a rebellious John Lennon with his rock and roll quiff. (see detail of photograph below) It dates from 1957 and carries an estimate of £500-£600.

The two other school photographs both feature Paul McCartney at Joseph Williams School in Belle Vale, Liverpool.

The first one that arrived in the shop dates from 1953 when Paul would have been eleven. After the local Liverpool papers published a report on the item and the birthday party photographs listed below another Joseph Williams school photograph was brought in to us, this time dating from 1952. This find has been causing a buzz out in the Beatle collectors world as this is the first time to our knowledge that one has turned up for sale.

Both of the McCartney school photographs carry estimates of £1200-£1500 each.

As well as a school photograph from 1953 a young girl was lucky enough to have had Paul McCartney attend her birthday party that year as well. Offered in the auction are two photographs from the party showing an eleven year old Paul posing with the other party guests. These images are previously unpublished and are sold with copyright. They are estimated at £250-£300 each.

Less than a decade later in December 1961 both of these young school boys were Beatles and posing for their first photo session with Albert Marrion arranged by their new manager Brian Epstein. There are eight photographs from this session for sale in the auction carrying estimates of £45-£65 each.

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Please see the FAQ and Buyer Notes (links in side bar) for details how to attend the auction to bid on this item, or for the details on absentee bids.

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We have now stopped taking items in to the Auction. However if you have something you would like us to look at please use the contact details link on the sidebar.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Beatles Signatures

Here's a quick list of some of the Beatles autographs in this year's auction.

Lot 61 - George Harrison postcard by Starpic, signed on the reverse Estimate £500-£600

Lot 85 - Ringo Starr signature on black and white Beatles photo. Estimate £130-£150

Lot 215 - John Lennon and George Harrison signatures. Estimate £900-£1200

Lot 216 - Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr signatures. Estimate £400-£500

Lot 224 - Complete set of 1967 Beatles signatures obtained during the filming of Magical Mystery Tour at RAF West Malling. Signatures are in pencil on the back page of a 1967 diary. Estimate £1750-£2000

Lot 225 - Paul McCartney signed Beatles Monthly Magazine centre page. Obtained at the filming of Take It Away video. Estimate £275-£350

Lot 308 - John Lennon signed and inscribed card Love John Lennon and annotated with Lennon's caricature portraits of his and Yoko's smiling Faces Estimate £1200-£130

Lot 309 - The Beatles autographs in biro on reverse of paper envelope Estimate £1800-£2000

The auction includes other signed items some of which have been highlighted in this blog previously. (Use the archive links at the side to find past posts.). A full list of items in the auction will be available to download soon, and printed catalogues will be available. Details coming shortly.

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Please see the FAQ and Buyer Notes (links in side bar) for details how to attend the auction to bid on this item, or for the details on absentee bids.

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We have now stopped taking items in to the Auction. However if you have something you would like us to look at please use the contact details link on the sidebar.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

With A Little Help From Their Friends

There are many people with close links to the Beatles, via family, marriage, friendship or other associations.

Here are just a few samples of items in the auction featuring signatures by various famous names associated closely with the band.

Lot 13 - Peter Blake signed exhibition leaflet – Peter Blake designed the world famous Sgt Pepper album cover. Estimate £15-£20
Lot 19 - The Beatles Authorised Biography 1968 signed by author Hunter Davies. Until the Beatles Anthology book was released this was the only fully authorised biography of the band. Estimate £60-£70
Lot 20 - Imagine card signed by Yoko Ono. Estimate £30-£40
Lot 29 - 1970 NEMS Record catalogue signed by Joey Molland of Badfinger. Badfinger famously recorded on Apple Records. Estimate £20-£30
Lot 30 - 1960 NEMS Record catalogue signed by Allan Williams – Beatles first manager. Estimate £20-£30
Lot 31 - Sean Ono Lennon signature on black and white photograph of John Lennon. John's youngest son signed on a photograph of his dad. Estimate £20-£30
Lot 32 - George Martin signature on Chrysalis Records compliment slip – George Martin produced the Beatles records. Estimate £50-£60
Lots 42, 43 and 255- Three photographs of Tony Sheridan, signed by Tony Sheridan and Astrid Kirchherr. - The Beatles backed Tony Sheridan in Hamburg and Astrid took some of the earliest photographs of the band during their time in Germany. Estimate £120-£150 each





Lot 63 - Original 60s magazine signed on inside by Pete Best – the original Beatles drummer. Estimate £30-£40
Lot 199 - Help postcard signed of the reverse by Victor Spinetti and Leo McKern – bothh actors appeared in the 1965 movie with the Beatles. Estimate £30-£40
Lot 284 - Cynthia Lennon signed copy of A Twist Of Lennon paperback – John's first wife. Estimate £60-£70
Lot 306 - Klaus Voormann signed invitation to opening of exhibition at The Mathew Street Gallery 2000. Klaus designed the Revolver album cover and played bass with the Plastic Ono Band as well as on several solo recordings. Estimate £15-£20

The auction includes other signed items. A full list of items in the auction will be available to download soon, and printed catalogues will be available. Details coming shortly.

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Please see the FAQ and Buyer Notes (links in side bar) for details how to attend the auction to bid on this item, or for the details on absentee bids.

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We have now stopped taking items in to the Auction. However if you have something you would like us to look at please use the contact details link on the sidebar.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Own a piece of history!

For sale in this year's auction we have this piece of wood.



Doesn't look wildly impressive does it? Take a look at the other side.



This scruffy looking piece of timber was once part of one of the world's most famous stages. It is a piece of the stage from the Cavern Club in Liverpool!

These sections of stage do not come up for sale very often, making it a much sought after item among collectors. It's a chance to own a piece of history.
The estimate on this item is £2100-£2500


Also in the auction we have a Cavern Club Brick, originally offered for sale in 1983 when work was going on for The Cavern Walks building. That carries an estimate of £260-£280

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Please see the FAQ and Buyer Notes (links in side bar) for details how to attend the auction to bid on this item, or for the details on absentee bids.

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We have now stopped taking items in to the Auction. However if you have something you would like us to look at please use the contact details link on the sidebar.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Something a bit different

Before managing the Beatles Brian Epstein worked in the family business which was a well known shop in Liverpool mostly selling furniture.

Not everyone could afford to pay for large pieces of furniture so they often bought them on the "never-never" or Hire Purchase.


In the auction this year we have a payment book from Epstein's for 1958. The agent would go round to the customer's house each week and collect payments and mark in the book that the payment had been made. (According to the book the item was paid off in full.)
Estimate £15-£20

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Please see the FAQ and Buyer Notes (links in side bar) for details how to attend the auction to bid on this item, or for the details on absentee bids.

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We have now stopped taking items in to the Auction. However if you have something you would like us to look at please use the contact details link on the sidebar.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Are you the Walrus?

One of our more unusual lots in this year's auction is this Walrus mask! It was worn by Mark McGann in his role as John Lennon in the 1981 production of Imagine at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool.

The mask also comes with a grey hood and matching gloves to complete the look!
(Estimate £100-£120)

Goo Goo Ga Joob!

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Please see the FAQ and Buyer Notes (links in side bar) for details how to attend the auction to bid on this item, or for the details on absentee bids.

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We have now stopped taking items in to the Auction. However if you have something you would like us to look at please use the contact details link on the sidebar.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Come with me to Casbah!

All the lots are now in for this year's auction and the catalogue is being prepared.

A late entry has been a very rare Casbah Coffee Club Membership card dated 19-11-61 to 19-11-62. The Beatles played the club 18 times during these dates including the last ever show at this venue on 24th June 1962. (Estimate £1100 - £1300)

(please note there is no smudging on the address on the actual card)

Please see the FAQ and Buyer Notes (links in side bar) for details how to attend the auction to bid on this item, or for the details on absentee bids.

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We have now stopped taking items in to the Auction. However if you have something you would like us to look at please use the contact details link on the sidebar.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

A trio of autographs

While we have various sets of multiple autographs in the auction so fans may only want a signature from their favourite Beatle. Here's a trio of examples.

Handwritten postcard from Barbara Bach and Ringo Starr. The message (to Ringo's parents Elsie and Harry) is written by Barbara and the card has been addressed by Ringo. (Est £250-£300)
click for bigger image

Letter from the IFA (International Film Associates) requesting clearance for use of a photograph of John and Yoko. John has written his reply on the bottom of the letter and signed it John. (est £800-£1000)
click for bigger image


Original Starpics postcard signed on the reverse "love to Pauline" by George Harrison (est £500-£600)
click for bigger image

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If you have any items of interest for the auction please contact us. Click the link on the right for details of how to get in touch.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Great Pop Prom

The Royal Albert Hall is one of the country's more famous venues, but The Beatles only played there once. They appeared at The Great Pop Prom on 15th September 1963, The Rolling Stones were also on the bill.

We have two items in the forthcoming auction relating to this event.
One is a programme for the concert. (estimate £250-£300)
click for larger image

And the other is a ticket stub from the show. (est £150-£200)
click for a larger image

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If you have any items of interest for the auction please contact us. Click the link on the right for details of how to get in touch.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Signed Please Please Me Single

A couple of years ago a fully signed copy of the Love Me Do single sold for over £12,000 and took us all by surprise!!

This Please Please Me single is signed by three members of the band - Paul, George and Ringo, not quite as high a price tag as the Love Me Do single, but is still a desirable and collectible item.


Click thumbnails for larger images.

Estimate - £2,500 - £3,000

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If you have any items of interest for the auction please contact us. Click the link on the right for details of how to get in touch.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
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By Special Request

This is certainly one of the more usual lots we've ever seen in our auctions.

This card was made using a copper letter press which the seller had access to via work. She made it to request that Paul and The Beatles sing A Taste of Honey for her boyfriend. It was certainly eye catching as Paul not only read the request on stage at the Cavern Club but also performed the song for them.

Afterwards Cavern DJ Bob Wooler suggested she try and get the card autographed and she managed to get Paul and John to sign it on the reverse for her.



This a unique item and part of the rich tapestry of Beatles History from the Merseyside area, and that's not including the fact that it is signed by two of the Fab Four!

The signatures are in pen, and are both dedicated to Rita.

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If you have any items of interest for the auction please contact us. Click the link on the right for details of how to get in touch.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.

Do you have something you'd like to put in the auction?

If you have a item you would like to be considered for this year's auction all you have to do is get in touch with us.

The best thing to do is to call us with the item in front of you so we can ask you questions about it. Or email us a photograph or scan of the item. We can't assess autographs over the telephone as we need to see them. A scan or clear laser photocopy is usually sufficient if you can't bring them into the shop for us.

When you call us you need to ask for Stephen. He is the manager and the person who assesses all the items that go into the auction. Please note, he doesn't work on a Friday, but is usually around every other day of the week including weekends.

It's best to ring to see if the item is something that can be placed in the auction before you bring it in to see us. Sometimes we get too many of a particular item and therefore limit the number we put up for sale.

All the contact details are available at the end of this post and via the link on the right.

When you do bring something in for the auction, we take it in and give you a receipt for it. Very often we photograph the item to include it on your receipt. Once we have the item it is photographed if it is to be included on this blog and for reference and then it is taken away to be stored securely until August.

Items have to be brought in to us in advance. We have a limited number of spaces in the auction due to time constraints and often we have enough items well in advance of the sale.

Stephen will happily advise you on setting reserves for the more valuable items, and you may be asked to confirm any reserves shortly before the sale.

Make sure the contact details we have for you are correct as this is where the cheque will be sent. It's important that if you move house you let us know so we can change your details. Cheques are sent out approximately 35 working days after the sale. This is to allow for all payments from buyers to clear and to cover a time limit that allows for any disputes over items.

It's very important that you read the notes for sellers on this site and the terms and conditions that should be printed on the reverse of your receipt for the item as this explains the handling fees involved with the sale and VAT. If you have any questions about this please let us know.

Contact details -

Phone – 0151 236 8066

Email – auction@thebeatleshop.co.uk

Address- The Beatles Shop, 31 Mathew Street, Liverpool L2 6RE.

Google Map Link

Opening hours – 9.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am – 4.30pm Sundays

Dear Sir or Madam...

2009 has barely begun and we've already got some interesting items for this year's auction.

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These four letters from NEMS Enterprises to the JDS Entertainments Agency in Harlesden, London will be of interest to collectors who are into their Beatles History.





The first letter is dated 1st August 1962, and in it Brian Epstein ends by asking if there is any offers of bookings for The Beatles at venues the agency may supply.

By the date of the fourth letter on 16th March 1963, only seven months later, the agency are being told that The Beatles "have no availability in the foreseeable future."

In those few months, lots had happened.

• Pete Best was dismissed on 16 August.
• Ringo made his live debut with The Beatles on 18th August.
• John Lennon married Cynthia Powell on 23rd August.
• Their debut single was recorded at EMI during September 1962 and released on 5th October.
• 17th October saw their TV debut on Granada's People and Places.
• In December 1962 they made their final 13 nights run at the Star Club in Hamburg.
• 4th February 1963 saw their final lunchtime session at the Cavern (the last ever Cavern appearance would be 3rd Aug.)
• On 11th February they recorded their debut album in a single day.

(source - The Beatles Chronicle by Mark Lewisohn)

Two of the letters are hand signed by Brian Epstein and two are signed on his behalf by secretaries.

Stephen Bailey, manager of The Beatles Shop on Mathew Street who organise the annual Beatles Auction every year, thinks the letters are fascinating. "It's interesting to see the transition from being open to offers for the band to play to them becoming unavailable in the foreseeable future. Such a lot happened to The Beatles in that short time between, and the letters are like before and after snapshots of that."

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If you have any items of interest for the auction please contact us. Click the link on the right for details of how to get in touch.

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Press enquiries should be made through the same contact link.
Better images of items can be made available to the press upon request.