Original vintage program from the Beatles engagement at the Olympia Theatre in Paris, 9.5 x 12, signed on the front cover in black felt tip over their images by John Lennon and Ringo Starr, and on the back cover over their images by Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Also signed on the front cover in black felt tip by Sylvie Vartan, and signed and inscribed on the front cover in blue ballpoint by Trini Lopez. In good condition, with poor contrast to Harrison’s signature, remaining signatures light but still legible, partial separation of front cover along hinge, missing top right corner of front cover, scattered creasing and handling wear throughout, some old tape remnants inside, as well as some light soiling. The signatures of Lennon, McCartney, and Starr are bold and readable, and each has been authenticated by Roger Epperson. However, Harrison's signature, while signed in the same ink and likely signed at the same time as the others, exhibits very poor contrast against the dark background and Roger Epperson is unable to make a conclusive judgment on it.
Beginning January 16, 1964, the Beatles began an 18-day stint at Paris' Olympia Theatre as part of a nine-act bill, playing two and sometimes three sets each day. Songs included ‘From Me To You,’ ‘Roll Over Beethoven,’ ‘She Loves You,’ ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand,’ ‘Twist And Shout,’ and ‘Long Tall Sally,’ with some tunes cut out as part of an abbreviated matinee. The regal performance hall was somewhat ill-equipped for the Fab Four, with the band’s amplifiers blowing the theater’s fuses three separate times during their second show. During that same performance, a mob of French photographers backstage became embroiled in a fist fight that spilled onto the stage, resulting in a stoppage of the concert and forcing John, Paul, George, and Ringo from the theater. Such drama aside, the Beatles closed each performance, but shared top billing at various times with Lopez and Vartan, a French singer. The original recipient of this program was Gilbert Miller, a fellow performer who shared the bill during that Paris event, which took place just prior to the Beatles’ legendary appearance with Ed Sullivan on TV. Miller, who later became a talent agent, offered the Beatles and their manager advice on performing before an American audience. He also had the band sign this Olympia Theatre program for his 11-year-old daughter. Accompanied by a notarized letter from Miller as well as a 2004 Las Vegas magazine that carried an article on Miller and his Beatles encounter. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RRAuction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by Real
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$150.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
