An exceptionally rare 8” x 10” black and white photograph of The Beatles that has been autographed on the front by the group blue ballpoint pen.
The signatures date to October or November 1963. An inscription reading ‘Best Wishes Robin’ has been added at the top of the photograph in an unknown hand. The signatures were obtained by Sir John Wall, head of EMI Music, the company that owned both The Beatles record label Parlophone and the famous EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London. The father of the family that previously owned the signed photograph knew Sir John Wall and his teenage daughter asked if she could get a set of Beatles autographs, after a few weeks the signed photograph arrived in the post.
The four images of each member of The Beatles were taken by famed Beatles photographer Dezo Hoffmann during a photo shoot at his studio in Wardour Street, London, England on 20th June 1963.
Any signed 8” x 10” photographs are extremely rare and less than five autographed examples of this particular photograph are known to exist.
All four signatures are bold and clear, signed in the light areas of the photograph. Paul McCartney has made a slight correction to the connection from the ‘a’ to ‘u' in his Christian name where the pen had originally skipped a little.
The photograph measures 8" x 10" overall.
Very slight edge wear and some very light aging to areas of the front of the photograph, none of which detracts from the terrific ballpoint pen signatures or the photos overall superb appearance. Accompanied by an array of authentication, including full Letters of Authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services (BAS), James Spence Authentication (JSA) as well as LOAs from Beatles expert Frank Caiazzo and noted music autograph authorities Roger Epperson/REAL Authentication and Tracks UK.