A travelling sales rep captured the Fab Four at work and play in 1967
A box of rare photographic slides of The Beatles taken by a travelling salesman in 1967 fetched £2,700 at auction in North Hykeham on New Year’s Day.
The lot also included a letter the rep wrote to his wife in Lincoln, which he got John, Paul and George to sign as they all stayed at the Atlantic Hotel, in Newquay, Cornwall.
The slides capture the Fab Four at work and play in 1967 as they shot scenes for the surreal film Magical Mystery Tour – broadcast on Boxing Day that year.
Darryl Kirk, valuer at Teal Park-based Unique Auctions, said the slides and the signatures in lot 1129 had been expected to fetch £1,000 to £2,000.
He said: “There was a lot of interest in The Beatles item, which finally sold for £2,700 to a bidder on the internet based in Scotland.”The photos have never publicly been seen before, so this really was an incredible lot. “There are 14 slides as well as the Beatles’ signatures on the letter the salesman wrote to his wife.”The seller came in a few weeks ago and asked if the items were of any interest to us – he’s had them for 50 years just doing nothing. “He was staying in the same hotel in Newquay at the time when The Beatles were filming Magical Mystery Tour.”
Mr Kirk added: “He had drinks with John Lennon and followed them around for the day and took photos.
“He wrote a letter to his wife which John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison signed the back of.
“Ringo wouldn’t sign it – he was in a bad mood apparently.”
The auction featured about 1,500 of collectibles, fine art, antiques and furniture.
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