This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2018
There has been no greater entertainment phenomenon in the entire history of the world than the Beatles, and it's quite unlikely that there ever will be. The four lads from Liverpool literally took the world by storm, sweeping an entire generation of screaming teenage girls off their feet, and surviving with a legacy that simply cannot be outdone. In a span of just ten brief years, from 1960 to 1970, they completely rewrote the book on how rock and roll was to be played, sung, written, and performed. Starting out by playing Merseybeat and skiffle music as well as a bit of 1950s American rock and roll, they quickly emerged as the biggest musical act in Europe, and by 1963, after building their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg, full-on Beatlemania had arrived! Under the tutelage of manager Brian Epstein, who was instrumental in molding them into a professional act, and of producer George Martin, who was very hands-on in guiding and developing their recordings, they became an overnight sensation with their first hit, "Love Me Do." They acquired the nickname "The Fab Four" as their popularity exploded all over Great Britain, and by 1964 they were international superstars. They hit the United States pop market that year, spearheading what would come to be known as the British Invasion, even though American record sales had been delayed by Capitol Records, the affiliate of the group's record label, EMI's Parlophone. (Brian Epstein got the band signed to this label after Decca Records rejected the group, stating that "guitar groups are on the way out.") After not issuing the band's first three singles, discussions were conducted with the American independent label Vee-Jay, which led to the release of some songs in 1963, but not all. In December of 1963, disk jockey Carroll James of the AM radio station WWDC in Washington, DC is credited with first playing the song "I Want to Hold Your Hand," and American chart success was immediately to follow. The world would never be the same! What is offered here for your bidding pleasure is an early group-signed photograph, an unpublished publicity photo dating to February 22, 1963, when the group was performing at the Oasis Club in Manchester, England. Items signed by all four members are absolutely cherished in the collecting community, and the offered piece is nothing short of spectacular! Measuring 8" x 6" across, this black and white photo has been signed beautifully by all four Beatles in blue ballpoint ink, with each member adding "XXX" after their respective signatures, and with Paul McCartney inscribing "Lots of Love" above his endorsement. The photo has been framed with the signatures facing outward along with a copy of the actual photograph, making for an incredibly alluring and impressive display. Signatures have been authenticated by the recognized leader and foremost authority on Beatles autographs, Frank Caiazzo. There is a mild paper bend in the upper right quadrant of the photo, but is hardly significant and does not intrude anywhere near into the area of the signatures. An absolutely stunning piece of musical history, offered with pride in fine, outstanding condition! Full LOA James Spence Authentication (JSA).