Beatlemania swept North America in February 1964 when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. Fresh from the success of their film A Hard Day’s Night, the Beatles toured America that summer and were greeted with auditoriums packed to the rafters with screaming, hysterical fans, the likes of which no live act had ever experienced. This was the case in Cleveland on September 15, when police stopped the show in mid-performance and ordered the Beatles off the stage. The brouhaha was so great, in fact, that in the following year, they were banned from appearing in the city. Fabulous original program from the Beatles history-making 1964 United States tour, titled “Beatles (U.S.A.) Ltd.,” approximately 24 pages, 12 x 12, signed and inscribed in ballpoint with large, bold signatures on a full-page interior photo: “To Ann, Love from the Beatles, John Lennon, XXX”; “George Harrison”; “Ringo Starr”; and “Paul McCartney, XXX.” Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from noted Beatles expert Frank Caiazzo, who dates the signatures to the 1964 American tour and adds that it is “very rare to have John Lennon writing ‘love from the Beatles’ on any set of signatures.” Two light, unobtrusive tape stains slightly touching a few letters of inscription, and light rubbing, small hole, and wear to covers, otherwise fine, bright condition. The American tour program was first sold at concerts in Washington, D. C. and Carnegie Hall, and later became one of the most popular souvenirs of the tour. COA Roger Epperson/REAL and R&R COA.
