With Impeccable Provenance From One United Artists Film Executive to Another
The Highest Autograph Grade Ever Bestowed on a Photo by Beckett/BAS
Here is a stunning original 1965 black and white glossy publicity photograph (8" x 10") of The Beatles signed beautifully in blue felt tip by each bandmember above their respective images. The image was captured by famed U.S. photographer Henry Grossman on 27 February 1965 on Balmoral Island in The Bahamas. It was on this day that The Beatles filmed the ‘Another Girl’ music sequence for their second motion picture entitled ‘HELP!’ A small number of these photographs would be developed, and later signed, for select members of the production staff as a sign of thanks for their work on the film. Many of these were actually signed by members of The Beatles management team.
This photograph was given by United Artists Creative Director David Chasman to Ralph Kamon, Esq., as documented in a letter dated April 27, 1965 from Chasman to Kamon, who served as Corporate Council to United Artists. The document appears on letterhead from the London offices of United Artists Corporation Ltd., and reads:
"Dear Ralph: You will probably never appreciate the difficulties in getting a real live honest-to-goodness autographed picture of the Beatles. The requests have been such that the boys have had printed special postcard size photographs with imprinted autographs (see attached). I figured your kids were too smart for that so you [will] also find enclosed one authentic set of autographs. Remember, if I ever have to beat a murder rap you owe me a favour. Best regards, David."
It cannot be overstated how rare it is to have this level of documentation, dating to the specific timeframe in which The Beatles autographs were obtained, and penned from one United Artists film company executive to another. By the time this letter was written by Chasman, The Beatles had returned to the UK and were filming additional movie scenes at Twickenham Film Studios. The letter is dated a full three months prior to the 29 July 1965 UK theatrical release of HELP! which would be followed just one week later by the studio album release of the same name.
Signed photographs by The Beatles are exceedingly rare, particularly from 1965. This is an extraordinary example with outstanding signatures and impeccable provenance. The photograph measures 20.5xm x 25.5cm (8 inches x 10 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Accompanying this incredible Fab Four relic is an equally remarkable array of authentication. The photograph has been reviewed by Beckett Authentication Services (BAS) and has been awarded the cumulative autograph grade of MINT 9, which is the highest grade given for a signed 8" x 10" photograph by the company. The photograph has received a universal consensus of approval from experts across the hobby in the form of additional full Letters of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication (JSA) and Roger Epperson/REAL Authentication, as well as trio of LOAs from Beatles autograph specialists Frank Caiazzo, Perry Cox and Tracks UK.
In 3+ decades of handling and observing some of the finest pieces of Beatles memorabilia in existence, this photograph stands undoubtedly as superior among all others. For the collector looking for an investment-grade Beatles of the highest order, one must not look any further.