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Value of signed Menu, The Imperial, Torquay, 18th August 1963

Hi, My dad went to work , age 15 at The Imperial Hotel, Torquay , England, summer of 1963.

The Beatles only concert appearance in the seaside town of Torquay and they performed at the Princess Theatre.

My dad served the Beatles in the restaurant and chatted quite a lot with them.He told me that he took a menu from the restaurant and later , after work, went to their hotel rooms, knocked on the doors and they all signed the menu for him. He told me that John and Paul were in one room and Ringo and George in adjoining room. There was no security, he was invited into their rooms, chatted an then left with the menu.

My dad has since passed and I am wondering what the value of this original dated menu would be worth if I was to sell this.

Thanks

Julie

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 8, 2017 at 1:14pm

I have a question for Beatles collectors in this discussion, since you know the market:

If stains are expertly and safely reduced, is it OK to do it right up to the ink of the autographs, as long as no ink is added?

I think we would all agree that the potential buyer should be told about the restoration.

And if you were interested in it, would you insist on seeing images from before restoration?

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 8, 2017 at 1:21pm

Hi Steve, just to be clear - that is nowhere near what I was suggesting. What I am thinking of is like a very mild dip of a Ch/Gem Proof Walker 50C to remove that haze from the original brittle (not soft) true cellophane sleeve just to reveal some of the flash. Nothing more. I have never suggested, and am usually against, unnecessary cleaning or over zealous cleaning/restoration - but this seems a perfect case to me; done correctly and safely of course. As others have had work done I believe such a slight adjust is acceptable - what I am talking about would not be drastic or very noticeable.

It would NOT go right up to the ink - I am talking about the stains at the edges - just a few being lightened.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 8, 2017 at 1:57pm

Eric,

I didn't think you were suggesting extensive restoration. I was asking about it because I think it's a valuable topic.

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 8, 2017 at 8:48pm

Thanks Steve - I just wanted to be clear. I am not sure I have ever made this suggestion before. This just seems a good candidate.

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Permalink Reply by fab432 on November 8, 2017 at 1:35pm

Good questions Steve. The estimate to properly restore my Lennon book was $2000+. So you can see I could make it look better but would not been able to recoup the restoration cost. Most restoration processes use a saturation and suction action to remove the staining. Therefore I would assume you cannot get too close to the ink as the saturation and porosity of the paper may damage the ink.

If I was able to "restore" an item I would most definitely disclose this to interested parties and supply them with before and after photographs.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Halloran on November 8, 2017 at 1:39pm

So I personally don't mind the stains and would leave them. I am sure for many the reduction of stains would give it a better visual appeal. For myself I would rather see the age in the item (as long as the item isn't at risk of being severly damaged by not preserving it.) I would suggest leaving an item as is.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Tipling on November 8, 2017 at 2:05pm

Hi Adam,

I kind of like the natural aged look but as I've learnt from here, some collectors seem to like the better visual look and other don't.

All to do with personal taste I think. but I will be leaving it as it is, 55 years of patina!

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Permalink Reply by a pug called eva on November 8, 2017 at 9:14pm

I totally agree with you Julie. It looks great as it is to me - the signatures are clearer than many I've seen and the graphics of the menu are fantastically "period". I think the patina really does add to it, as does the provenance. If I were you I would write down as many details as you can about your Dad's story and include this information in any sale documentation - either in your own eBay listing or in any letters to auction houses or dealers. You could even include a vintage photo of your Dad if it doesn't bother you from a privacy point of view. If you had any other documentation or any photos linked to his time at the hotel that would really add something.

For added exposure I would also definitely write a post on here when the item is up for sale. I for one would love to have this in my collection.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 8, 2017 at 9:26pm

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 8, 2017 at 9:36pm

Indeed +1. Best advice here.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Tipling on November 9, 2017 at 2:05am

Hi Pug called Eva,

Thank you for your advise, so glad I came to this site.

I have a lovely Photo of dad aged 15 at that time, although I think this is in Blackpool, because I recognise the Tower in the background. My dad travelled to seaside towns and worked in Hotels at that time.

My brother has lots of his old photos, so I will have a look and Ill ask his sisters, if they have any of him in Torquay.

He did provide more details to me and it is in box upstairs as he wanted this story mentioned in his eulogy, which we did.

My dad must have sent the menu to Sotherby Auction in1983 for a valuation as I have a headed letter from Sotherby, dated 1983, valuing them at £100, back then, but they told him if he wanted to sell, he would be better to put them into a specialist Music auction.

I wonder if The imperial keep all their old employee details? worth an email , I suppose., at the time , you don't think to keep all details.

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