The Holy Grail of Beatles Collectables

It’s been dubbed the ‘Holy Grail of music memorabilia’, although some fans of the Rolling Stones might disagree. It’s the Beatles first signed contract with their manager Brian Epstein and given that Beatles collectables consistently fetch the highest prices I think I’d agree with the Holy Grail tag. It is being sold by the Fame Bureau, rock and film memorabilia dealers and is expected to fetch £250,000.

It’s thought that the contract probably originated from the estate of Brian’s late mother. It’s arguably the most important music contract of all time and was Epstein’s personal copy. The first contract was signed by John, Paul, George and Ringo on January 24, 1962; Epstein refused to sign it until he secured them a recording contract which finally happened nearly nine months later. This second five-year contract is also signed by Harold Hargreaves Harrison and James McCartney, who had to give additional consent on behalf of their sons as they were under 21.

It’s part of an auction at the Idea Generation Gallery in London on Thursday, 4 September. Also included is the Bechstein Grand Piano, used in the recording of the Beatles’ White album and their single Hey Jude. There’s also the model of movie cowboy Tom Mix which stood between the John Lennon and the waxwork of Paul on the iconic sleeve of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.