Vintage glossy 6.25 x 8.25 Valex publicity photo of the Beatles wearing matching dark suits and ties, each looking directly into the camera, signed on the reverse in green ballpoint by John Lennon and George Harrison, and in blue ballpoint by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. The consignor notes that the autographs were obtained when the Beatles performed at the Town Hall Ballroom in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales, on June 22, 1963; they were supported by local band The Fabulous Fortunes. In fine condition, with a single tack hole to the edge, and surface impressions to the photo side from the signatures on the back. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks, a letter of provenance from the son of the original recipient, and a modern photograph print of the Beatles performing at Town Hall Ballroom, which shows the recipient of the signatures with his hand on a speaker cabinet.
This was to be the Beatles' only performance in Abergavenny. They were booked by local promoter Eddie Tattersall, who had agreed a fee of £250 with Brian Epstein. The concert was advertised as 7:30 pm to 11:45 pm, but the Beatles were late taking the stage because of John Lennon’s appearance on Juke Box Jury earlier in the day, which had wrapped recording at London’s BBC Studios at 9:15 pm. Lennon was then rushed to Battersea Helipad from where he took a chartered helicopter flight to Wales, landing at Abergavenny’s Pen-y-pound football ground at 9:50. He then drove straight to the Town Hall to join the rest of the Beatles, who had arrived earlier in the day and had been invited to a civic reception given by the Mayor and Mayoress of Abergavenny, Councilor and Mrs. J. F. Thurston. The Beatles took to the stage at 10:30 pm, where they performed in front of around 600 fans. After the concert, all four Beatles signed autographs that were sold to fans for three pence each, with proceeds going to the local branch of the Freedom From Hunger Campaign.
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