This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2023
The Beatles Signed “1962 Year of Achievement” Handbill.
A rare original promotional handbill created by The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein to run as a full-page advertisement in the December 13, 1962, issue of Liverpool’s Mersey Beat newspaper. The photographs were taken by Astrid Kerchherr in Germany in early November 1962. The vintage “Year of Achievement” poster was autographed by each of The Beatles – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – on their respective image.
The autographs were obtained at the Elizabethan Ballroom, Co-operative House, Nottingham, England, on March 7th, 1963 by a teenage fan who states in her letter accompanying this lot that she was “just seventeen” and working as an apprentice hairdresser. The flyers were sent out to businesses to promote The Beatles’ performance, and she took one to the concert. She and her friends were dancing when they were offered a chance to meet the band, thinking at first it was a joke. “The Beatles were really nice to us and gladly signed the photographs on the flyer.”
The handbill is a marvelous historical record at a critical moment in the rise of The Beatles, listing their major accomplishments to this early date in their career, including their recent recording contract, radio and TV appearances, poll awards, chart success and upcoming events for 1963. It captures the very moment The Beatles went from “a little known group” to national fame.
The handbill measures 14.75 x 17.625 inches on paper so thin that few exist today. At some point the bottom border was trimmed. The poster was professionally restored to replace a missing section of the bottom left corner, and remove as much of the tape stains as possible. It was linen-backed to preserve the paper which will ensure this rare handbill’s existence for decades to come.
Authentication: Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity, Frank Caiazzo Letter of Authenticity and a Tracks UK Letter of Authenticity.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.