Attention Beatles fans! A good variety of Beatles memorabilia are now available for online bidding through Sotheby's London. An early audition tape by the band for Decca Records, musical instruments that belonged to the band members, John Lennon's iconic round glasses and even a parking ticket slapped on Ringo Starr's Mercedes around 50 years ago are just some of the highlights of the sale. The estimate for the collectibles being auctioned will range from £200 - £70,000, making this an excellent opportunity for all levels of Beatles collectors. Bidding has already begun on 6th December and interested parties can click here to participate.
Photograph signed by all four Beatles, 1964｜Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000
Round glasses became an integral part of John Lennon's trademark look
The sale features only 25 lots in total and part of it comes from the previously unknown private collection of Alan Herring, who was the driver for both George Harrison and Ringo Starr from 1967 to 1969. John Lennon's pair of iconic round glasses is his property as well, which is estimated to fetch £6,000 - 8,000.
This pair of round sunglasses is one of the most iconic memorabilia in Rock 'n' Roll history. Interestingly John did not start wearing glasses until he was asked to do so in the 1966 British black comedy How I Won the War for his character Private Gripweed - from then on it soon became his signature style.
John Lennon's Sunglasses, circa 1968｜Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000
John Lennon wore a pair of round glasses for his role in the film How I Won the War
Alan Herring, the owner of John's pair of sunglasses recalls that "...In the summer of 1968 I had picked John up with Ringo and George in Ringo’s Mercedes and driven the boys into the office. When John got out of the car I noticed that he’d left these sunglasses on the back seat and one lens and one arm had become disconnected. I asked John if he’d like me to get them fixed for him. He told me not to worry they were just for the look! He said he’d send out for some that fit. I never did get them mended I just kept them as they were as John had left them."
A parking ticket issued to Ringo Starr in April 1969 outside Apple Records
The Beatles' last concert was played on Apple Records' rooftop
A collection of items relating to motoring including Ringo Starr's parking ticket
The parking ticket issued to Ringo Starr along with a collection of items relating to motoring, also kept by Alan Herring, are expected to fetch £1,000 - 1,500.
The £2 parking ticket was issued on 25 April 1969 in London's Savile Row outside the Fab Four's office (Apple Records). The Beatles played their final performance on Apple Records' rooftop.
1959 Hofner President 'thinline' semi-acoustic guitar｜Estimate: £40,000 - 60,000
Another precious Fab Four memorabilia put up for auction by Alan Herring, a semi-acoustic guitar gifted to Alan by George Harrison, has an anecdote that comes with it: "...George gave me this Hofner President... in the summer of 1969, before the release of 'Here Comes the Sun'. I'd gone to George to ask him to show me the chord I was missing from the song 'Here Comes the Sun' which I was trying to teach myself to play. George told me to go and get a guitar from his guitar room, which I did, he described this guitar as 'Blondie' and remarked that a Hofner President was his first good guitar. George showed me the chord then took the guitar from me, and told me, whilst smiling, 'Play it up here at the seventh fret', he then handed the guitar back to me telling me it was mine. He said it needed some work doing on it and gave me a set of strings for it that he thought would be better for me than the ones on the guitar. I played this guitar frequently when waiting for the band whilst they had their long sessions at Abbey Road Studios. One night I was playing in the kitchen at the studios when George came in with Mal Evans. George took the guitar from me and started to play the Simon and Garfunkel song 'Mrs Robinson' delightfully substituting his nickname for me 'Alan Herringbone' for that of Mrs Robinson. This was a very special moment for me - one of the best of my time there..."
It is estimated to go under the hammer for £40,000 - 60,000.
Decca Audition tape, Brian Epstein's copy, 1962｜Estimate: £50,000 - 70,000
Brian Epstein (centre) with the Beatles
The item expected to fetch the highest price would be The Beatles' 1962 audition tape for Decca Records. This copy of the Decca tape belonged to their manager Brian Epstein and is estimated to go under the hammer for £50,000 - 70,000.
The open reel magnetic tape recorded 15 minutes and 20 seconds of The Beatles performing seven songs ('Money', 'The Sheik of Araby', 'Memphis Tennessee', Three Cool Cats', 'Sure to Fall (in Love with You)', 'September in the Rain', and Like Dreamers Do') at Decca Studios, London, on New Year’s Day 1962.
THE BEATLES Sale Highlights
The Beatles｜Decca Audition Tape, Brian Epstein's Copy
Lot no.: 1
Circa 1962
Estimate: £50,000 - 70,000
George Harrison｜1959 Hofner President 'thinline' semi-acoustic guitar
Lot no.: 21
Circa 1959
Estimate: £40,000 - 60,000
John Lennon｜Sunglasses
Lot no.: 14
Circa 1968
Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000
The Beatles｜Photograph Signed by All Four Beatles
Lot no.: 2
Circa 1964
Size: 341 x 560 mm
Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000
George Harrison, Ringo Starr｜ A Collection of Items Relating to Motoring
Lot no.: 4
Circa 1967 - 1969
Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500
The Beatles｜Ronson Cigarette Lighter; Petri Half 7 Camera & Solid State DC3 Flash; Leather Writing Case & Small Case
Lot no.: 13
Estimate: £700 - 900
Auction details
Auction house: Sotheby's London
Sale: THE BEATLES (online)
Auction time: 2019/12/6 - 13