This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2023
This is an incredibly rare Beatles original 16 x 20 photo (not poster) direct from the negative picturing with all four original members of The Early Beatles in suits, autographed in 1962.
Beatles fan Barbara A. Read attended the concert in the summer at the Majestic Ballroom in Birkenhead after she won the photo in a raffle. As the winner she got to meet the Beatles and obtained their signatures. The Beatles performed at the Majestic Ballroom with Pete Best only a couple of dates in the summer of 1962. The venue was owned by Top Rank, Britain’s largest entertainment organization at the time, which ran ballrooms, cinemas, theatres, and bingo halls around the country.
This rare item is signed in ink on the front with inscriptions by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and signed on the reverse by original drummer, Pete Best. Inscribed twice in pencil. Interesting that Pete signed the back instead of on his image next to his fellow Beatles on the photo. The Majestic would be one of the last concerts Pete would be The Beatles drummer.
The photo originally had paper letters saying BEATLES at the top but were removed due to the poor condition of the letters.
To date this is the only known signed 16 x 20 original photo signed by The early Beatles with Pete Best who was replaced in August 1962 by Ringo Starr making this a holy grail in early Beatles autographed history.
Fair condition, with some restoration done for condition issues.
Authentication: Tracks UK Letter of Authenticity, Roger Epperson (REAL) Letter of Authenticity and a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.