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Rare invitation for a luncheon hosted by Beatles music publisher Dick James at the Cafe Royal in London on December 30, 1963, 6 x 4.5, signed and inscribed on the reverse in black ballpoint, “To Russell, best wishes, from the Beatles, Paul,” “John,” “Ringo,” and “George Harrison.” The recipient of this invitation, Brian Willey, obtained the signatures at the luncheon, which was attended by the Beatles, and asked that the band add the inscription for his son, Russell. Later that day, the Beatles performed at London's Astoria Cinema in Finsbury Park as part of ‘The Beatles' Christmas Show,’ a 16-day run of two nightly shows between December 24, 1963 and January 11, 1964. In very good to fine condition, with light toning and scattered stains.
Accompanied by a letter of provenance from Russell Willey: “My father, Brian Willey, worked at the BBC from the age of 16 until his retirement, except for two years of National Service. By the early 1960s, he was a producer for the Light Programme. In 1962 he was, among other things, responsible for a show called Talent Spot, which showcased potentially popular new artists and was recorded at the BBC's Paris Theatre on Lower Regent Street. He first booked the Beatles for that show in December 1962, when they were little-known in London. After the recording, Brian Epstein asked my dad what he'd thought of the group and whether he'd be willing to book them again. My dad told him that he thought they were good though a bit ‘rough’ — and he'd be willing to have them back. By the time they returned a few months later, Beatlemania had begun and there was a queue around the block for the recording
My dad went on to produce the legendary early pop show 'Saturday Club,’ hosted by Brian Matthew and also booked the Beatles for that. In December 1963, he was invited to a luncheon hosted by the Beatles' music publisher Dick James. The Beatles were there and he asked them to autograph the back of his invitation card, with a dedication to me. I was eight years old at the time.”
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