A unique piece of Beatles memorabilia is set to go under the hammer later this year when the first contract the Fab Four signed with Brian Epstein becomes available at auction.
Arguably the most important piece of paper in the history of popular music, the contract saw Epstein officially manage the group on the eve of the release of their first single, “Love Me Do”. Although he had been in charge of the group’s affairs for over a year, Epstein refused to officially manage the group until he had fulfilled his promise of securing them a record contract. A deal with EMI thus secured, the contract was signed and the group took their first step to immortality.
In a reminder that they were once ordinary lads from Merseyside, the contract is signed by all four Beatles plus the fathers of Paul McCartney and George Harrison as they were under 21 at the time. Ringo Starr, of course, signed his birth name of ‘Richard Starkey’.
Epstein became an important part in the group’s rise to world wide fame, changing their image and attitude on stage whilst becoming one of the most significant figures in the history of pop music until his death in 1967.
This unique document will be up for sale on September 4th at The Fame Bureau, London as part of their auction “It’s More Than Rock ‘N’ Roll”.
