| About Me – My name is Tom Fontaine and I have been a collector for 40 years. I have been featured in publications as a contributor and authenticator for two auction houses. Recently, Autograph Collector magazine made me the first non-celebrity to appear on their cover in the sixteen year history of the publication. I am a member of the UACC and recipient of the UACC Collector of the year award for 2004. For other examples of Beatles Autographs go to Tom Fontaine's website. Beatles Autographs – Beatles autographs are probably the most widely forged signatures from the 20th century. The intent of this analysis is to educate the reader so that collecting and buying can be enjoyable as well as an excellent investment. The discussion is intended for both collectors and dealers. |  |
This study will not detail the way the Beatles did their signatures. It will not state, “John never did an ‘l’ that way” or “George never lifted his hand off his signature attaching the ‘e’ to the ‘h’. This analysis will avoid statements like that because there are always exceptions to the rule. With authentication, it is impossible to be 100% accurate as we are only human. However, a picture says a thousand words and that is the intent of this study. Numerous authentic Beatles examples will be shown so you can make your own decision.
The Beatles first autographs appeared in late 1960 and included the original five members: John Lennon Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe. With the exception of contracts, only three sets of autographs have surfaced from this period. They were on album pages and the back of an unpublished photograph.
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| Signatures on back of photograph featuring the original five including Stuart Sutcliffe. It is also signed by Astrid Kirchherr, his girlfriend and famed photographer. | Performance contract for the original five and Tony Sheridan who the Beatles recorded with as Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers. |
The Beatles most prolific signing period was from 1962 to 1963, with most sets appearing on album pages and photographs. Album covers and EPs surfaced in the summer of 1963 with the band’s first release, Please Please Me. This record became the most widely signed Beatles LP, but there are still limited amounts on the market.
From late 1961 to 1963 the Beatles were emerging from their teens. In August of 1962 the Beatles replaced their drummer Pete Best with Ringo Starr. Autographs from this time are not quite as polished as they were later in 1963, and most are dedicated (signed to someone). Their signatures varied considerably as they became accustomed to providing autographs to their growing fan base. Consequently, comparing examples from this period can be very confusing.
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| Beatles page signed in 1962 at the Cavern Club in Liverpool (with Pete Best). | Beatles promo card signed on the back in the fall of 1962 (with Ringo Starr). |
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| Signed 1963 page from an autograph book. | Beatles Please Please Me UK album cover signed on the back by all 4 (mid 1963). |
To meet the demand for Beatles autographs, their fan club secretaries would sign and send out cards and letters. Each day, they received hundreds of letters and autograph requests.
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| Secretarial signed Fan Club Card. |
By 1964 Beatles signatures were more difficult to obtain, especially after their arrival in the United States. As they toured the country for the next two years, the Beatles had very few opportunities to sign. Many examples from this period were done by Neil Aspinall (first road manager and future head of Apple Records), Mal Evans (equipment and road manager) or PR man Derek Taylor. Aspinall’s examples are the most common. The demand for Beatles autographs had far exceeded their ability to provide them.
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| Autographed album page signed by Neil Aspinall. | Neil Aspinall and Mal Evans | Mal Evans signature and his forgeries of Beatles autographs. |
In December of 1963, the Beatles played a concert for fan club members at Wimbledon. At this event, they conducted an autograph signing session before the show. This event alone provided most of the authentic examples that we see today. Fans lined up in a orderly fashion as the Beatles sat behind a table and signed whatever was placed in front them.
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| John and Ringo signing for fans before a Wimbledon concert in December of 1963. |
On February 7th 1964,The Beatles landed for the first time in the United States. During the trip from London the Beatles signed for fans on their Pan Am flight. On February 9th, 1964, the Beatles debuted on American television. Their famous appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show served as a promotional vehicle for Meet the Beatles. This was their first US album for Capital Records.
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| Signed Pan American post card. | Meet the Beatles LP signed backstage during Ed Sullivan Show appearance. It was signed for George Harrison's doctor (George had the flu). |
From late 1964 through 1966 the Beatles continued touring as they started their movie career. During the filming of their first movie, A Hard Days Night, some fans were able to attend filming at Twickenham Studios. I have purchased a number of examples from this period and I would always ask the folks that received the autograph to write me a letter about their experience. Typically, they would share personal observations like, “John was a great guy”, “Paul was a gentleman”, “Ringo was funny” or “George was softer and quiet, but very polite”. As a part of history, these letters were a great addition to my collection.
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| Signed album page obtained on the set of A Hard Days Night at Twickenham studios. | Rare US Concert program signed during the Summer of 1964. | Beatles example with Jimmie Nichol, who briefly replaced Ringo Starr when Ringo had his tonsils removed. |
When filming the movie, Help in early 1965, the Beatles were in many locations. There are authentic examples of flight menus and publicity pictures from the Bahamas. Unfortunately, Neil Aspinall also signed similar items throughout the filming of this movie.
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| Signed photo of the Beatles in the Bahamas obtained during the filming of Help! | Beatles Bahamas Special menu signed during the flight en route to the next location for filming the movie Help! (note the 2-Ts in Beatles with a circle over the second T) | Beatles Bahamas photo of John and George signed by Neil Aspinall |
During the 1965 United States tour, the Beatles signed for Teen Magazine reporters, disc jockeys and even opening acts. Contact with fans was becoming more difficult as they were constantly surrounded by security.
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| Beatles 1965 concert book signed by all four. It is inscribed to Marilyn who was a writer for Datebook Magazine. | Beatles 1965 concert book page signed by John Lennon. It is inscribed to Steve who was one of the Discoteque dancers, an opening act for the summer tour. |
By 1966, the Beatles were tiring of constant engagements and television appearances. As they curtailed these events, autographs became nearly impossible to obtain. Only a handful of signed items have appeared from their final tour in the United States. It is estimated that less than 10% of all the autographs signed in the United States during the years 1964-1966 are authentic. Below are pictures of the rare 1966 United States Tour Book that was signed for one of the writers of Datebook Magazine.
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In 1967 the Beatles began their most influential year as their music and appearance changed with the release of a new album, Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band, and a new film, Magical Mystery Tour. Fewer than ten signed Sgt. Pepper LPs have surfaced and most were signed at the press party. The one in my collection was signed to an Apple Scruff girl, Lizzie Bravo. She was also a back up vocalist on Across the Universe that first appeared on No One’s Gonna Change Our World and later on Rarities. As a point of clarity, Apple Scruffs was a song written by George Harrison affectionately naming the female fans who stood vigil outside the Beatles recording studios and Apple offices.
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| Sgt Pepper gatefold album cover signed in 1967 by all four Beatles for Lizzie Bravo. | Color photo of Lizzie Bravo next to John Lennon the night she had the album cover signed. Lizzie is holding the cover in her hand. |
When Magical Mystery Tour was being filmed, the Beatles were somewhat accessible. They took breaks during the bus rides and signed many dinner menus, post cards, etc. The Beatlemania phenomenon had subsided and they felt comfortable around their fans.
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| Set of beatles autographs on back of a promo post card signed in 1967 during the filming of Magical Mystery Tour. | Atlantic Hotel, Newquay signed 1967 menu where the Beatles filmed scenes for Magical Mystery Tour. |
In 1968 the Beatles were either in the studio or going in different directions. They went to study with the Mahareshi in late 1967 through 1968. Consequently, very few signed items were produced during this period. I have seen less than six sets and one is pictured below.
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| Rare set of Beatles autographs on an album page signed in 1968. |
During the end of the band’s run from 1969 to 1970, John became involved with Yoko Ono. This caused problems in the group because they were accustomed to only their own company. Below is a picture of the only known set to have the four Beatles and Yoko on the same item.
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For these two years, the band was all but inaccessible to the public. It was virtually impossible to get anything signed by the Beatles as they were in the process of breaking up. Here are rare sets from 1969 (the day they shot the cover for Abbey Road).
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| Beatles signature set from 1969. | To date the only set of Beatles signatures obtained on August 8th, 1969 - the day they shot the cover for Abbey Road. |
As mentioned earlier, the Beatles were fond of the Apple Scruff girls and would sign for them. Only two known copies of Abbey Road signed by all four members have surfaced. By this time, their autographs were starting to change, especially John’s signature.
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| Abbey Road album cover signed by John Lennon. The album was released in October of 1969. |
In the past 10 years, a series of signed checks and documents have appeared. Full contracts from 1964 through 1969 are very difficult to obtain.
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| Rare contract from January of 1967 signed by all four Beatles plus manager Brian Epstein and his brother Clive. | Contract from 1969. |
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| Checks signed from the early 1970s. | Rare check signed by John Lennon in 1969. |
Since the death of John Lennon and George Harrison, numerous Beatles forgeries have surfaced on the market. This discussion provides numerous signature examples and ties them to a particular era of Beatles history. It is important to note signature variations over the years. For example, I have seen a Double Fantasy album that was released in 1980 autographed with signatures from 1964. The forger that made this item copied inappropriate examples.
As with any forgery, the signature tends to show hesitation. This is a sure sign of someone’s effort to copy an autograph from a known source. Because authentic Beatles autographs are fairly expensive, use caution when purchasing items that appear to be a good deal. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t authentic.
Authenticating autographs from the solo years is difficult. Furthermore, more recent signatures tend to be rushed as they are signed on the street, at concerts or the airport. For example, I have seen a photo that was signed on camera at a press conference by Paul. The photo was thrust in front of him with no backing and he managed to scrawl a “PA” at the top. It is an ugly example, but signed by Paul McCartney nonetheless.
It should be noted that Ringo Starr stopped signing his full name in 1992. Instead, he would sign just Ringo with variations, such as a star, next to or below the name. Below are some more modern examples of Beatles signatures.
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| John Lennon Mind Games picture sleeve obtained in Philadelphia at Helping Hand Marathon appearance in May of 1975. | Paul McCartney's Band On the Run album cover signed to director John Landis. It is also signed by Linda McCartney. |
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| Signed photo page from George Harrison's 1974 US tour book. | Ringo Starr's 'Ringo' LP cover signed during his first All Starr band tour in 1989. |
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| Signature of Ringo Starr from 1995. |
Could you write to the Beatles after the break up? Absolutely! All 4 members have answered letters and enclosed signed material. John Lennon was accessible when he was in New York City. From 1976 through 1980 you could get a response within one month. I wrote to George Harrison and he signed 2 items for my wife and I. The response took about 8 months. I had similar results when writing Paul McCartney. Ringo Starr was a very good through the mail signer in the mid to late 1990s. Now, he is more difficult.
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| Through the mail George Harrison example | Through the mail Paul McCartney example |
Hopefully, this study has served as a good education on autographed Beatles memorabilia. Items signed by the band have gone up in value every year. In the past a set of Beatles autographs on a page were valued at $400. Today that same set is worth at least $5000. The four boys from Liverpool have made their mark on history and are the greatest phenomenon from the past 100 years. They have influenced nearly everybody in some way. Just make sure you do your homework before spending your hard earned money on a piece of Beatles signed memorabilia.
Cheers!
Tom Fontaine - tjosf@sbcglobal.net
