Vintage glossy 8 x 10.25 promotional photo of the Beatles on location in the Bahamas during filming for their second motion picture, Help!, signed and inscribed in black felt tip, “To Bob, best wishes from Beatles, John Lennon,” “George Harrison,” “Paul McCartney,” and “Ringo Starr.” Famed American photographer Henry Grossman captured this image on Balmoral Island in the Bahamas on February 27, 1965, the same day that the Beatles filmed the ‘Another Girl’ music sequence for the movie. A small number of these photographs were developed on site in the Bahamas and signed for select members of the production staff. However, only a select number of these were signed by the Beatles themselves. The majority were signed by the band’s road manager, Neil Aspinall. In very good to fine condition, with areas of emulsion loss to the edges from onetime tape removal.
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks, and full letters of authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services and Frank Caiazzo, who states: “The signatures are outstanding examples from the period. These Bahamas beach ‘HELP!’ photographs, which are exceptionally desirable, were signed by The Beatles and given to members of the film crew as a thank you for their work on the movie after filming wrapped up, in April of 1965. This one in particular was signed for a male makeup artist who worked with The Beatles there in The Bahamas.”
Also includes a letter of provenance from the son of the recipient: “This photograph of the Beatles was given to me by my Dad in 1965 (my Mum has written ‘April 1965’ on the back) when he was working on the film ‘HELP!’ in the Bahamas. It is dedicated to me (‘Bob’) and signed by all four Beatles. Unfortunately, there is slight damage to the top and bottom of the photograph where I sellotaped it to my bedroom wall (as a naïve 9-year-old, not appreciating its importance or value!).
My Dad (born Frederick William Burlinson) worked in the film industry for nearly 40 years as a Makeup Artist under the stage name of Freddie Williamson. This was because his older brother, Alf, was managing director of a London film studio, and my Dad didn’t want any conflict of interest or potential favouritism. He went on to have success with films including The Italian Job, A Clockwork Orange, Educating Rita, and many others.”
The filming of ‘HELP!’ began in the Bahamas on February 23, 1965, and continued through March 9, 1965, after which the Beatles, along with supporting cast and crew, flew (via London) to Austria for additional filming. The Beatles then returned to the UK to shoot additional scenes at Twickenham Film Studios. Signed photographs by the Beatles are exceedingly rare, particularly from 1965. Very few fully signed original ‘HELP!’ photographs have surfaced over the years with such impeccable provenance tied directly to an accredited member of the film crew.
