DEALER TELLS OF STEADY RISE IN VALUE OF BEATLES MEMORABILIA

  

Paul signing autographs at the Rialto Theatre, in York, in 1963 

A YOUTHFUL Paul McCartney gives a York fan his autograph. John Lennon stops for a chat with another fan. The Beatles together lean and wave out of an upstairs window at the Rialto Theatre. 

These previously unpublished images from one of the band’s visits to York in 1963 have been released to The Press by a leading dealer in Beatles and other rock’n’roll memorabilia, who has also revealed just how much such items can now be worth. 

Jason Cornthwaite, of Tracks Ltd in Lancashire, contacted the newspaper after we reported the teenage reminiscences of Gill Thompson, who met the Fab Four and other stars when they stayed at her then home, the Edinburgh Arms, following concerts at the nearby Rialto. 

 

She had an autograph book full of the signatures of world-famous musicians from the 1960s.

Mr Cornthwaite said he had bought the pictures seen here from a female York fan who had taken them during one of the 1963 visits.

He said all the bands and artists who visited the city left behind a plethora of superb mementos.

Most of this material had risen steadily in value over the last 20 years, with a significant increase in the last five years – in particular with The Beatles. 

He said: “Although the rise doesn’t apply to all types of Beatles items, there has been a substantial increase in the value of specific types of Fab Four ephemera, most notably signatures, concert posters, some novelty items and certain albums.

“Most of the items in these categories have doubled in value in the past five years. A Beatles concert poster from York in decent condition could now bring £4,000 to £5,000, compared with £2,000 five years ago.”

He says a a small ticket stub would be worth £50, and a larger, more elaborate one such as those issued in 1962 or early 1963 would bring about £150 – more than triple this if it were complete.

Beatles programmes were worth between £25 and £35, with handbills realising between £300 and £500.

That Hippie Penny Lane