PC3.  A Beautifully Autographed Beatles Official Fan Club Promo Card

When it comes to picking the handful or so iconic images in existence of The Beatles, from any era, the Dezo Hoffman magical photo session that took place in London in July of 1963 produced what is perhaps THE iconic and most recognizable of all – the classic so called ‘seated collarless suit’ photograph. This is the image that most Americans saw just prior to The Beatles first visit to the United States in February 1964, and it was this brilliant image which adorned both sides of the “I Want To Hold Your Hand” 45 rpm picture sleeve which was already in the hands of millions of teenagers by the time The Beatles landed in New York.

In September 1963, The Beatles Official Fan Club in London received a sizable shipment of these promo cards, which were produced for the express purpose of having the secretaries of the Fan Club sign and mail out to help satisfy the ever increasing number of autograph requests which were coming into the building every day. While the vast majority of these cards were indeed secretarials, there WERE a few dozen which were actually signed by The Beatles, who had retained a small number of Fan Club cards to have with them and sign in person for a fan on occasion. Here is an exquisite example of one such.

All four have autographed the front of this card beautifully in blue ballpoint pen on or near their respective image. This card was signed by The Beatles on November 15, 1963 (a week to the day before “With The Beatles” was released), when the band performed in concert at Colston Hall in Bristol, while in the midst of their ‘Autumn Tour’ in the United Kingdom. This card comes with a Letter of Provenance from the original owner and obtainer of the autographs, recounting the interesting and atypical scenario of how this card came to be. The vehicle that the band was travelling back to London in after the concert had broken down right in front of the family home in St. George, Bristol, and as a show of thanks for helping to have the vehicle repaired, The Beatles autographed this card and gave it in gratitude.

This fabulous card, which measures 5 ½” x 4 ¼” is it is in its original state and the overall condition is excellent, having been very well kept over the years. These highly desirable Fan Club cards have become so scarce over the past decade, and this is without a doubt one of the best examples to appear anywhere in recent years……. $18,000

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