Vintage ballpoint signatures, “George Harrison,” “John Lennon,” "Ringo Starr,” and “Paul McCartney (vocal and drums),” who above adds the inscription, “Best wishes to Louise, from the Beatles,” on an off-white 6.75 x 8.5 sheet. The consignor notes that the autographs were obtained on August 18, 1966, when the Beatles were flying to the USA to perform at the Suffolk Downs Racetrack in Boston, Massachusetts, on the evening of the same day; the group had performed at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada, the previous night. In very good to fine condition, with overall light fading, a few small stains, and a vague central vertical bend. Full sets of Beatles autographs from their 1966 USA tour are extremely scarce; the band was perpetually guarded by a tight blanket of security that kept eager fans at bay.
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks, a Pan American first-class menu, and a letter of provenance from the original recipient, which reads: ‘‘In August of 1966 I boarded a Pan Am flight to Boston, USA from London, England. Everyone sat in their seats as we waited for the plane to take off...and waited. Suddenly there was commotion at the First Class door and the Beatles came on board with their manager. I was in First Class, seat in the second row, because my grandmother bought the ticket at the last minute and the plane was full. Everyone was mumbling and excited. I looked up and saw four matching heads with bangs accompanied by lots of laughing and commotion. I was sitting next to a middle-aged, balding businessman who immediately ordered a stiff drink after we took off. And another drink after that. He asked me if I wanted to ask them for their autographs and I said ‘no’ because I was too embarrassed (being 19 at the time). So this pretty drunk guy stood up and loudly slurred: ‘This little lady would like your autograph, Beatles.’ All four of the Beatles turned around and stared at us probably thinking he was my much older, weird, drunk sugar daddy. Even so, they were very polite and nice and passed the Pan Am menu to each other...When we arrived in Boston a huge crowd of fans was waiting behind a fence shrieking and waving. And I caught a last glimpse of them."
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