The Beatles Signed Twist & Shout Record
photo: live auctioneers
Wonderful and quite rare first UK pressing of the band’s debut EP, Twist and Shout, signed and inscribed in fountain pen on the back cover of the sleeve by all four members of the Beatles, as: “To Christine, love, John Lennon xxx,” “Ringo Starr xxx,” “love from Paul McCartney xxx,” and “George Harrison xxx.” Signatures were obtained sometime between August 19–24, 1963, in Bournemouth, Hampshire, for a young female fan who was invited to meet the group back stage after winning a Disc magazine contest, during their six-day engagement at the Gaumont Cinema. In fine condition, with a bit of slight contrast to Starr’s signature over text, and a brush to Paul’s “xxx.” The record is included. 7.25" square. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Beatles expert Frank Caiazzo.
photo: live auctioneers
Disc Magazine ran several contests during 1963, with the grand prize being front row seats to a Beatles show, and a chance to meet the group backstage. Released in mid-July 1963, the band's first official EP contained four tracks from their Please, Please Me album. The sleeve featured a Fiona Adams photo the band taken at a former bomb site at the rear of Euston Station, and the Beatles tunes on the back cover are credited to "McCartney-Lennon." This EP stayed on the charts for an incredible 64 weeks, selling over 800,000 copies, despite the fact that their full-length album had been number one on the charts for 10 weeks. According to musicologist Frank Caiazzo, there have been less than ten authentically signed Beatles EPs brought to light to date. A scarce fully signed offering of a rare Beatles title!
