Sold For $7,311
*Includes Buyers Premium
Vintage program from the royal world premiere of the Beatles' second feature film, Help!, held at the London Pavilion in Piccadilly Circus on July 29, 1965, 8 x 10.5, signed and inscribed on the back cover in black ballpoint, "To Pepy, love, John Lennon," and in pencil, "Paul McCartney," "George Harrison," and "To Pepy, love from, Ringo Starr." The back cover is also signed and inscribed in pencil by record producer George Martin and his future wife, Judy, as well as McCartney's girlfriend, Jane Asher, with McCartney adding below her signature, "and her pal and buddy." The program also bears an unidentified pencil signature below the Starr signature. Archivally matted and framed with a letter of authenticity from noted Beatles expert Frank Caiazzo to an overall size of 24.5 x 17.5; window to frame backing reveals the signed back cover. The front cover has a long diagonal crease and exhibits general handling wear; the signed back cover has been professionally cleaned and restored to fine condition. The Caiazzo letter reads, in part: "Signed programs from this event are extremely rare, and only a handful has turned up in the 40 years since this event took place.” Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
Inspired by the Goon Show and the Marx Brothers classic Duck Soup, Help! saw the Fab Four tackling comedy with a James Bond twist, fending off an evil cult from seizing a sacrificial ring attached to Ringo's hand. The enormous premiere was attended by Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, and the Earl of Snowdon, and despite not earning as many rave reviews as A Hard Days Night, the film has since been credited for influencing the development of music videos. A truly rare, multi-signed piece of Beatles history.
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