UPDATE: Description Update: Authenticity Disclosure. This item will be sold with the following LOAs: two from Frank Caiazzo and one each from REAL, Tracks, and Perry Cox. PSA is unable to provide encapsulation authentication services for this item as originally described. Newly added provenance images are the 1999 auction catalog which includes this Beatles photograph and a 1999 newspaper article pertaining to the collection of original owner, Beatles Tour Promoter Kenn Brodziak, who had this photo signed in 1964.
Amazing vintage glossy 10 x 8 photo of the Beatles performing at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool, on December 7, 1963, taken by Dezo Hoffman, boldly signed in black felt tip by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Reverse is stamped: "Please return to Aztec Services Pty. Ltd., 289 Flinders Lane, Melbourne." In fine condition, with scattered light creasing.
Provenance: Lot 1794, Collection of Kenn Brodziak, Downie's Australian Coin Auctions, July 13, 1999; the original catalog is included, documenting Brodziak's extensive collection of Beatles memorabilia. A leading Australian concert promoter, Kenn Brodziak served as managing director of Aztec Services from the 1940s through 1970s, bringing over 100 top acts to the Australian show circuit. In addition to promoting the Beatles' 1964 Australian tour, Brodziak was involved in the presentation of such acts as Bob Dylan, The Monkees, The Kinks, Roy Orbison, Ray Charles, Eric Burdon and The Animals, Dave Brubeck, and many others. An original 1964 Beatles Australian tour program, noting Aztec Services as the promoter, is also included.
Accompanied by two letters of authenticity from noted Beatles experts Frank Caiazzo, dated 1999 and 2015, noting: "All four have autographed this photo beautifully in black felt tip marker, near their respective images. This photograph was signed in June of 1964, for Australian concert promoter Kenn Brodsiak, who was responsible for bringing The Beatles to Australia for a 16 day tour there in mid-1964. Beatles signed photographs of the band performing onstage are exceedingly rare and extremely desirable." Also includes a letter of authenticity from Perry Cox, who recognizes it as "very likely the greatest Beatles signed photograph known to exist," plus full letters from REAL and Tracks.
The Beatles' 1964 tour of Australia took them to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, attracting massive crowds at every stop. Their historic visit helped to solidify their global influence and left a lasting impact on Australian popular culture. An absolutely remarkable Beatles photograph, exceptional in every respect: an ideal image with bold autographs, signed for a significant figure in the worldwide promotion of the Beatles at the height of 'Beatlemania.'
