THE BEATLES
1959 Popular Music for the Teenagers
2018 SOLD for $ 430K including premium
New styles of music fascinate the English teenagers. The skiffle is an easy way to try they luck : they sing a mixture of folk and blues accompanied by guitars and by weird do-it-yourself instruments. John Lennon creates in 1956 a skiffle band named The Quarrymen.
He early meets two other teenagers from Liverpool, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. During the summer of 1957 Paul and George hitchhike together. With their guitars, of course.
To do better than the skiffle, two styles are possible, jazz and rock and roll. Mona Best decides to help young musicians by opening a rock and roll live club. She buys an espresso machine and opens the Casbah Coffee Club in her cellar in Liverpool on August 29, 1959.
Fan of Bill Haley and Elvis Presley, John is interested. He comes to Mona with three guitarist friends, Paul, George and Ken Brown. Needing a name for their group, they again use The Quarrymen. Pete, Mona's elder son, will soon become the drummer of The Beatles and as such the predecessor of Ringo.
While helping the Bests to prepare for the opening, John buys his first electric guitar, a Höfner Club 40, with the help of £ 17 brought by Aunt Mimi, the real starting point for his legendary career.
His choice of the Club 40 had been made with George who at 16 was already a great connoisseur of guitars. George had played a jazz acoustic Höfner that he exchanges to acquire a Club 40 and its pickups. George and John now play the same type of guitar. Paul will follow.
George owns that first electric guitar until 1966 when he accepts that it becomes the prize in a pop band competition in Germany. It bears the signatures of the four Beatles but they were entrusted to their road manager and are therefore neither apocryphal nor autograph. This guitar that accompanied the dawn of the Beatles fame is estimated beyond $ 200K for sale by Julien's in New York on May 19, lot 550.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
He early meets two other teenagers from Liverpool, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. During the summer of 1957 Paul and George hitchhike together. With their guitars, of course.
To do better than the skiffle, two styles are possible, jazz and rock and roll. Mona Best decides to help young musicians by opening a rock and roll live club. She buys an espresso machine and opens the Casbah Coffee Club in her cellar in Liverpool on August 29, 1959.
Fan of Bill Haley and Elvis Presley, John is interested. He comes to Mona with three guitarist friends, Paul, George and Ken Brown. Needing a name for their group, they again use The Quarrymen. Pete, Mona's elder son, will soon become the drummer of The Beatles and as such the predecessor of Ringo.
While helping the Bests to prepare for the opening, John buys his first electric guitar, a Höfner Club 40, with the help of £ 17 brought by Aunt Mimi, the real starting point for his legendary career.
His choice of the Club 40 had been made with George who at 16 was already a great connoisseur of guitars. George had played a jazz acoustic Höfner that he exchanges to acquire a Club 40 and its pickups. George and John now play the same type of guitar. Paul will follow.
George owns that first electric guitar until 1966 when he accepts that it becomes the prize in a pop band competition in Germany. It bears the signatures of the four Beatles but they were entrusted to their road manager and are therefore neither apocryphal nor autograph. This guitar that accompanied the dawn of the Beatles fame is estimated beyond $ 200K for sale by Julien's in New York on May 19, lot 550.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1962 The Missing Jumbo of John Lennon
2015 SOLD for $ 2.4M including premium
The Beatles liked the Gibson ES-175 guitar of their friend Tony Sheridan. John and George desired to own guitars from this US brand. Their choice went on the Jumbo Electric J-160E that was not regularly available in England. This acoustic-electric hybrid model can be used unconnected, which is nice when you are traveling.
The two identical marvels are delivered to them on September 10, 1962 through a specialized shop in Liverpool. These instruments meet their needs and they make a regular use of them for composition and recording, at home and in the studio. Their collaboration is so close that they swap their Gibsons, certainly unknowingly.
A few days after a Christmas show in 1963, John observes that his guitar has left. He will never see it again.
For the last 45 years, a guitarist living in San Diego owned this instrument without identifying its glorious past. In 2014, he realized the likeness of his Gibson with its widely documented twin which had been kept by George. Serial numbers are very close together.
The veins in the wood allow the identification of a guitar with the same certainty as fingerprints for a human. The best expert of equipment used by the Beatles compared the instrument with period photographs. He is formal and admiring : half a century after being pinched, John Lennon's Gibson has resurfaced in its unmodified configuration, like a time capsule.
This historic guitar is estimated $ 600K for sale by Julien's in Beverly Hills on November 7, lot 278.
Its photo in an exhibit at Austin in 2015 was offered to the public domain and is available on Wikimedia:
The two identical marvels are delivered to them on September 10, 1962 through a specialized shop in Liverpool. These instruments meet their needs and they make a regular use of them for composition and recording, at home and in the studio. Their collaboration is so close that they swap their Gibsons, certainly unknowingly.
A few days after a Christmas show in 1963, John observes that his guitar has left. He will never see it again.
For the last 45 years, a guitarist living in San Diego owned this instrument without identifying its glorious past. In 2014, he realized the likeness of his Gibson with its widely documented twin which had been kept by George. Serial numbers are very close together.
The veins in the wood allow the identification of a guitar with the same certainty as fingerprints for a human. The best expert of equipment used by the Beatles compared the instrument with period photographs. He is formal and admiring : half a century after being pinched, John Lennon's Gibson has resurfaced in its unmodified configuration, like a time capsule.
This historic guitar is estimated $ 600K for sale by Julien's in Beverly Hills on November 7, lot 278.
Its photo in an exhibit at Austin in 2015 was offered to the public domain and is available on Wikimedia:
_-_Ladies_and_Gentlemen..._the_Beatles!_exhibit_at_LBJ_Presidential_Library%2C_Austin%2C_TX%2C_2015-06-12_11.37.55.jpg)
1962 Epstein tames the Beatles
2015 SOLD for £ 365K including premium
The four boys are part of the trend for counter-culture of their time.Brian Epstein watches them performing in Liverpool after one of their escapades in Hamburg. If he manages to make the Beatlesmore presentable, their fame and his wealth are assured.
Hardly older than John, Paul, George and Pete, Brian brings the complement which they needed. He will manage their logistics, relations, finances (of course), and also their leading commitment in a new hair and clothing fashion that is altogether innovative and acceptable to the bourgeoisie.
Epstein is in a hurry, perhaps because he fears that the deal escapes him to the benefit of an already established impresario, which is not his case. A first contract is established on 24 January 1962. Epstein, strangely, does not sign it. He doubts on his own capability, and on that point he is wrong.
The success is around the corner. A producer for the EMI brand is interested. He does not like Pete, and it is left to Epstein to announce to the other three that Pete must be replaced by Ringo. The recording of the first single is scheduled. Epstein is preparing a new contract with the group which now enjoys its final composition.
The contract is signed on October 1, 1962 by all parties including the fathers of Paul and George who are not yet 21 years old. Epstein does not forget to stipulate that the percentage of his fees shall increase depending on the amplitude of the gains. A signed copy is estimated £ 300K for sale by Sotheby's in London on September 29, lot 42.
The career of the Beatles owes much to Epstein whose untimely death in 1967 by overdose of barbiturates is leading to the loss of the cohesion of the group. A self-destructive personality, Epstein kept the secret of the root cause for the impulse that made him raising a band of young rebels to the rank of a global phenomenon in the renewing of musical culture. His case is unique in the history of business.
Hardly older than John, Paul, George and Pete, Brian brings the complement which they needed. He will manage their logistics, relations, finances (of course), and also their leading commitment in a new hair and clothing fashion that is altogether innovative and acceptable to the bourgeoisie.
Epstein is in a hurry, perhaps because he fears that the deal escapes him to the benefit of an already established impresario, which is not his case. A first contract is established on 24 January 1962. Epstein, strangely, does not sign it. He doubts on his own capability, and on that point he is wrong.
The success is around the corner. A producer for the EMI brand is interested. He does not like Pete, and it is left to Epstein to announce to the other three that Pete must be replaced by Ringo. The recording of the first single is scheduled. Epstein is preparing a new contract with the group which now enjoys its final composition.
The contract is signed on October 1, 1962 by all parties including the fathers of Paul and George who are not yet 21 years old. Epstein does not forget to stipulate that the percentage of his fees shall increase depending on the amplitude of the gains. A signed copy is estimated £ 300K for sale by Sotheby's in London on September 29, lot 42.
The career of the Beatles owes much to Epstein whose untimely death in 1967 by overdose of barbiturates is leading to the loss of the cohesion of the group. A self-destructive personality, Epstein kept the secret of the root cause for the impulse that made him raising a band of young rebels to the rank of a global phenomenon in the renewing of musical culture. His case is unique in the history of business.
1962-1963 The Black and White Guitar of George Harrison
2014 SOLD 660 K$ including premium
Electric guitars play a key role from very early in the career of The Beatles up to becoming a symbol of the music of the new generation. After the first purchase by John Lennon of a Rickenbacker guitar in 1960, the Beatles frequently use the instruments made by this US brand.
George Harrison had been the first solo guitarist of the group. In 1963, during a private visit in the United States, he bought a 1962 Rickenbacker 425. He soon made it painted in black and white in imitation of the guitars of John, always keen to provide the Beatles with a look different from the musical groups of the past.
This guitar was the preferred instrument of George in the heyday of the Beatles. It had a great career, was once photographed with the four boys, took part in the recordings at Abbey Road Studios and was also occasionally played by John.
This prestigious guitar is estimated beyond $ 400K, for sale by Julien's Auctions in New York on May 17. It is illustrated in the release shared by Reuters.
POST SALE COMMENT
This guitar from the Beatles legend was sold for $ 660K including premium.
George Harrison had been the first solo guitarist of the group. In 1963, during a private visit in the United States, he bought a 1962 Rickenbacker 425. He soon made it painted in black and white in imitation of the guitars of John, always keen to provide the Beatles with a look different from the musical groups of the past.
This guitar was the preferred instrument of George in the heyday of the Beatles. It had a great career, was once photographed with the four boys, took part in the recordings at Abbey Road Studios and was also occasionally played by John.
This prestigious guitar is estimated beyond $ 400K, for sale by Julien's Auctions in New York on May 17. It is illustrated in the release shared by Reuters.
POST SALE COMMENT
This guitar from the Beatles legend was sold for $ 660K including premium.
1963 Ringo on Drums
2015 SOLD for $ 2.1M including premium
Three days of sales will be needed by Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills to disperse the collection of Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach, from 3 to 5 December. No less than seven drum kits used by the musician with the Beatles or in his subsequent career are offered in this auction.
The Beatles reach the top position in the hit parade in February 1963. They now require the best instruments, not only for guitars. In April, Epstein and Starr choose together a three piece drum kit of Ludwig brand in a London specialized shop.
Ringo takes possession of his new instrument on May 12. The activity of the Beatles is intense and even frantic. Between that date and February 4 of the following year, Ringo uses his Ludwig drums in 200 live performances and 180 studio recordings, covering all titles from this period of great enthusiasm preceding their trip to America.
The Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl kit was retained by Ringo and has not been seen in public for half a century. However, it was used in part in 1969 and 1970 by Paul McCartney when he recorded his first solo albums.
The prestigious drum kit of Ringo Starr is estimated $ 300K, lot 696 for sale on December 4. I invite you to watch the video shared by Julien's.
The Beatles reach the top position in the hit parade in February 1963. They now require the best instruments, not only for guitars. In April, Epstein and Starr choose together a three piece drum kit of Ludwig brand in a London specialized shop.
Ringo takes possession of his new instrument on May 12. The activity of the Beatles is intense and even frantic. Between that date and February 4 of the following year, Ringo uses his Ludwig drums in 200 live performances and 180 studio recordings, covering all titles from this period of great enthusiasm preceding their trip to America.
The Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl kit was retained by Ringo and has not been seen in public for half a century. However, it was used in part in 1969 and 1970 by Paul McCartney when he recorded his first solo albums.
The prestigious drum kit of Ringo Starr is estimated $ 300K, lot 696 for sale on December 4. I invite you to watch the video shared by Julien's.
1964 Second Thoughts behind a Guitar
2015 SOLD for $ 910K including premium
When the Beatles became a worldwide phenomenon, the manufacturers of guitars were extremely sensitive to the needs of the group. In 1964, the Rickenbacker 325 that was used by John is damaged. The importer of the brand in England, Rose-Morris, rushes to offer to the star a Rickenbacker 1996.
The gift is promotional. The new Rickenbacker receives the nickname Beatle Backer and John's effigy is used in the advertisements of the brand.
In 1968, the same instrument is the subject of another gift. Epstein had died in the previous year and the boys are not trained to run their own business. Relationships are strained for personal reasons. Ringo leaves the group at a key stage of their recordings in progress.
Ringo needed two weeks of holidays for keeping quiet again, during which he composed songs. The other three are worried about a possible termination of the group and the come back of Ringo is warmly welcomed. John gives his Beatle Backer to Ringo.
Ringo Starr had kept the instrument. It is estimated $ 600K for sale by Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills on December 4, lot 778. I invite you to watch the video shared on YouTube by the auction house.
The gift is promotional. The new Rickenbacker receives the nickname Beatle Backer and John's effigy is used in the advertisements of the brand.
In 1968, the same instrument is the subject of another gift. Epstein had died in the previous year and the boys are not trained to run their own business. Relationships are strained for personal reasons. Ringo leaves the group at a key stage of their recordings in progress.
Ringo needed two weeks of holidays for keeping quiet again, during which he composed songs. The other three are worried about a possible termination of the group and the come back of Ringo is warmly welcomed. John gives his Beatle Backer to Ringo.
Ringo Starr had kept the instrument. It is estimated $ 600K for sale by Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills on December 4, lot 778. I invite you to watch the video shared on YouTube by the auction house.
1964 Beatlemania in America
2018 SOLD for £ 253K including premium
In 1963 the Beatlemania is at its height in England. Brian Epstein prepares for the conquest of America. Traditional protectionism will be ineffective to restrict the popular excitement. The group lands in New York on February 6, 1964. Their first performance is at the Ed Sullivan Show, live on CBS, watched by 73 million viewers.
The first public Beatles concert in America takes place on February 11 at the Washington Coliseum. The stage is a central ring equipped with a rotating plateau so that the spectators can in turn see the band from front side. The sound is far from perfect.
An 18-year-old photographer named Mike Mitchell managed to get a press accreditation. He takes photos throughout the show in the stage lighting without using a flash. He thus records the ambience in a chiaroscuro that in the best images evokes a solarization.
The Beatles leave but soon come back for a summer tour of 24 North American cities. Mitchell completes his collection on September 13 in the Baltimore concert.
For nearly half a century these views are unknown. On July 20, 2011 Christie's dedicates an auction to a selection of 46 digitally improved photos. The sale fetches $ 360K including premium. The most iconic 40 x 40 cm print showing in silhouettes the heads of the four boys was sold for $ 68K including premium.
On March 24 in Merseyside near Liverpool, Omega Auctions sells in a single lot all 413 negatives, 56 high-resolution digital files, 71 new prints signed by the photographer, the original contact prints with a scan, and the full copyright.
The set is estimated £ 250K, lot 200 here linked on The Saleroom bidding platform. Please watch the video shared by the auction house which is an interview of the photographer illustrated with some images.
The first public Beatles concert in America takes place on February 11 at the Washington Coliseum. The stage is a central ring equipped with a rotating plateau so that the spectators can in turn see the band from front side. The sound is far from perfect.
An 18-year-old photographer named Mike Mitchell managed to get a press accreditation. He takes photos throughout the show in the stage lighting without using a flash. He thus records the ambience in a chiaroscuro that in the best images evokes a solarization.
The Beatles leave but soon come back for a summer tour of 24 North American cities. Mitchell completes his collection on September 13 in the Baltimore concert.
For nearly half a century these views are unknown. On July 20, 2011 Christie's dedicates an auction to a selection of 46 digitally improved photos. The sale fetches $ 360K including premium. The most iconic 40 x 40 cm print showing in silhouettes the heads of the four boys was sold for $ 68K including premium.
On March 24 in Merseyside near Liverpool, Omega Auctions sells in a single lot all 413 negatives, 56 high-resolution digital files, 71 new prints signed by the photographer, the original contact prints with a scan, and the full copyright.
The set is estimated £ 250K, lot 200 here linked on The Saleroom bidding platform. Please watch the video shared by the auction house which is an interview of the photographer illustrated with some images.
1967 A Day in John Lennon's Life
2010 SOLD 1.2 M$ including premium
Riddle: Who is the poet whose double side autograph may reach or exceed $ 500K, oh boy?
John Lennon, of course.
In 1967, the fame of the Beatles is already huge but still contested. John Lennon wrote in bulk on a sheet the lines of "A Day In The Life" and brought many reworks. Happy with his work, he copied his poem in a more structured manner on the back of the same sheet. This original piece, so typical of the spontaneous creation of John, is for sale by Sotheby's in New York on June 18. The image of the draft is clearly legible as shared in an article in The New York Times.
The words are simple but the thought is dark enough to generate dream and interpretation. After an addition by Paul McCartney, the final version of the song will be banned by the BBC which saw therein a hidden apology on LSD, the serious bone of contention between the generations at that time. Such a case of censorship is extremely rare in England.
Anything that directly affects the creation of a Beatles song has the value of a relic, as I explained in one of my first articles. On July 10, 2008, Christie's had sold 420 K £ including premium a manuscript of Give Peace a Chance, which was not even autograph. John had problems to read his own poem and made it being copied by a girl.
POST SALE COMMENT
This autograph, sold $ 1.2 million including premium, has got a much better price than the sheet that I had taken as a reference, and thus has greatly exceeded its estimate. Good.
John Lennon, of course.
In 1967, the fame of the Beatles is already huge but still contested. John Lennon wrote in bulk on a sheet the lines of "A Day In The Life" and brought many reworks. Happy with his work, he copied his poem in a more structured manner on the back of the same sheet. This original piece, so typical of the spontaneous creation of John, is for sale by Sotheby's in New York on June 18. The image of the draft is clearly legible as shared in an article in The New York Times.
The words are simple but the thought is dark enough to generate dream and interpretation. After an addition by Paul McCartney, the final version of the song will be banned by the BBC which saw therein a hidden apology on LSD, the serious bone of contention between the generations at that time. Such a case of censorship is extremely rare in England.
Anything that directly affects the creation of a Beatles song has the value of a relic, as I explained in one of my first articles. On July 10, 2008, Christie's had sold 420 K £ including premium a manuscript of Give Peace a Chance, which was not even autograph. John had problems to read his own poem and made it being copied by a girl.
POST SALE COMMENT
This autograph, sold $ 1.2 million including premium, has got a much better price than the sheet that I had taken as a reference, and thus has greatly exceeded its estimate. Good.
1969 Relic from a Happening of John and Yoko
2008 SOLD 420 K£ including premium
This piece of paper may seem ridiculous, but nothing stops the fans of the Beatles. Just married, John Lennon and Yoko Ono organized a happening in Amsterdam, where they received their visitors in their room in night clothing for a continuous week. The success was such that they repeated it two months later with the same scenario on the other side of the Atlantic, in Montreal at the end of May 1969.
Of course, these events were also a pretext to create a fetish song, which was in Montreal "Give Peace a Chance". In eleven irregular lines, John scribbles in the text, very short, but where he still manages to pay tribute to Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsberg and twice proclaim Hare Krishna. The Woodstock Festival was to be held in August the same year, the tone is set (with virtually no pun).
His work being unreadable, John had it copied by a young girl who had managed to be accepted inside the room. She recovered the autograph that day or later, whatever.
Still being quite wise, nearly 40 years later, the depositary of this relic went to Christie's. The auctioneer considered it to 200 K£, for sale under number 250 on July 10 in London.
Christie's does not take its customers by surprise for such important pieces: the press release was published more than two months ago. Christie's is right: some feast lovers of 1969 have become rich.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold 420 K £ including fees. Therefore this type of object has buyers, as anybody knew.
Of course, these events were also a pretext to create a fetish song, which was in Montreal "Give Peace a Chance". In eleven irregular lines, John scribbles in the text, very short, but where he still manages to pay tribute to Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsberg and twice proclaim Hare Krishna. The Woodstock Festival was to be held in August the same year, the tone is set (with virtually no pun).
His work being unreadable, John had it copied by a young girl who had managed to be accepted inside the room. She recovered the autograph that day or later, whatever.
Still being quite wise, nearly 40 years later, the depositary of this relic went to Christie's. The auctioneer considered it to 200 K£, for sale under number 250 on July 10 in London.
Christie's does not take its customers by surprise for such important pieces: the press release was published more than two months ago. Christie's is right: some feast lovers of 1969 have become rich.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold 420 K £ including fees. Therefore this type of object has buyers, as anybody knew.
1990 Pop Photo by Avedon
2010 SOLD 445 K€ including premium
Half a century later, the 1960s appear as one of the most creative periods. With Pop Art, the themes are close to everyday life: the consumer society, of course, but also the comic book, the stars...
In terms of show business, it was the time of pop music and rock and roll. When the top photographic artists are still reluctant between black and white and color, the stars do not hesitate: they want color, and as much psychedelic as possible.
A great photographer followed the trend: on August 11, 1967 in London, Richard Avedon meets the Beatles and shoots a portrait of each of the four boys.
The portfolio issued after this session is an amazing photographic work as the digital images did not exist at that time. The images range from realism (for Ringo) to a figure close to abstraction (for John). The attributes assess the proximity between the photographer and his models: flowers for Paul, a white dove for Ringo, the eye of wisdom in the palm of the hand of George.
A copy of this portfolio, dye transfer prints made in 1990, 55 x 44 cm, was sold for $ 464K including premium on October 10, 2005 by Christie's.
The copy of the Richard Avedon Foundation is for sale on November 20 in Paris, also at Christie's. It is estimated € 250K. The catalog is not yet published. I will indicate the date of the prints and their size when I discuss the results.
POST SALE COMMENT
Here is the information that I promised: the dimensions of each photo is 55 x 44 cm, and the dye transfer print was made in 1990, same as the copy that I quoted in the article.
And now the result: € 445K including premium.
In terms of show business, it was the time of pop music and rock and roll. When the top photographic artists are still reluctant between black and white and color, the stars do not hesitate: they want color, and as much psychedelic as possible.
A great photographer followed the trend: on August 11, 1967 in London, Richard Avedon meets the Beatles and shoots a portrait of each of the four boys.
The portfolio issued after this session is an amazing photographic work as the digital images did not exist at that time. The images range from realism (for Ringo) to a figure close to abstraction (for John). The attributes assess the proximity between the photographer and his models: flowers for Paul, a white dove for Ringo, the eye of wisdom in the palm of the hand of George.
A copy of this portfolio, dye transfer prints made in 1990, 55 x 44 cm, was sold for $ 464K including premium on October 10, 2005 by Christie's.
The copy of the Richard Avedon Foundation is for sale on November 20 in Paris, also at Christie's. It is estimated € 250K. The catalog is not yet published. I will indicate the date of the prints and their size when I discuss the results.
POST SALE COMMENT
Here is the information that I promised: the dimensions of each photo is 55 x 44 cm, and the dye transfer print was made in 1990, same as the copy that I quoted in the article.
And now the result: € 445K including premium.