This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2023
This is an official Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) invitation letter signed on the back by all four of the Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison in pencil (an MBE is the third highest-ranking Order of the British Empire award).
On October 26th, 1965, John Evans was invited to Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE for his service in banking. The Beatles were also attending the event to receive an MBE of their own. While waiting for the event to start, Evans was able to get all four Beatles to sign their names in pencil on the back of the invitation on 10/26/1965.
Having all four Beatles sign this letter on the day they received their MBE truly is a special moment in their history, especially when it is an invitation to the event. The event was private to only the recipients and closed to the public. On November 25, 1969, John Lennon returned his medal to the Queen stating, “Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against ‘Cold Turkey’ slipping down the charts.
Provenance: From the Collection of John Evans.
Dimensions: 8 x 12.5 in.
Good condition.
Authentication: Frank Caiazzo Letter of Authenticity, a Roger Epperson (REAL) Letter of Authenticity, John Evans Son Letter of Provenance and a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.