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Feb. 11, 1964 Beatles Autographs: Original Owner Wants Selling Advice

A very nice lady emailed me, asking about the value of the Beatles autographs that she's had since 1964, and how best to go about selling them.

A friend of her father's was the Beatle's chauffeur during their first US concert on Feb. 11, 1964 in Washington, DC. He got a few sets signed for the kids of friends, and that's how the lucky lady got this one.

They're in pencil on a blank index card. She tacked them to her bulletin board a few times, but she was careful to avoid the autographs. Those are pencil marks touching the R of Ringo and S of Harrison, not holes.

I braced myself when she contacted me, hoping against hope that I wouldn't have to tell her that they were signed by Neil Aspinall, like all but a few sets from similar situations. Seeing that they were real made my day.

Here...I'll let the owner tell you about them in her own words:

"I was doing an online search for authentication of Beatles autographs and came across your article. I have an original autograph that was given to me in 1964 when the Beatles gave their first US concert in Washington DC. My father's friend was a chauffeur-taxi driver and he drove them around the Washington area. He had several small cards index size and had them autographed for his friends teenage kids (like me). It is autographed in pencil."

When I told her that I was happy to tell her that they were real, she said:

"I knew the autograph was real because of the circumstances related to my receiving it. There has been a long standing joke in my family that I kept the autograph hidden in a box. The favorite question was how is the Beatles autograph doing? LOL I have always kept it in a plastic bag but it probably should have been protected better. I can't believe it took me 50 years to do this."

Regarding the pinholes:

"The mark on the R is not a pinhole. It appears to be from the pencil that he used to sign it. Same with the mark on the S in Harrison. There are 7 pinholes, 3 above the nno in Lennon, 1 below the second n in Lennon, 2 below the ne in McCartney and one on the far bottom right side. Attached is a scan of the back of the card which makes it easier to distinguish the pinholes."

What do you think the set is worth? How do think the owner should consider selling it? She was planning to take it to a TPA but I suggested she may not need to—so if it looks naked without a sticker on in the front you can blame me.

Tags: 1964 Beatles Autographs, February 11, 1964, first US concert, washington DC

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Permalink Reply by Adele on September 30, 2018 at 3:30pm

Thanks for the suggestion, Steve!

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Permalink Reply by Rfitzz on September 30, 2018 at 10:51am

I agree with Steve. As far as what you saw on Ebay you should narrow it down more to compare apples to apples. See what signed 3 x 5 cards or album pages are selling for, that should give you a better idea of what your value is worth. Of course, you can bump your estimate up a bit given that they were signed on a "very important time" in Beatles' history. That can definitely add value. Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Adele on September 30, 2018 at 3:32pm

Thanks! Good suggestion.

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Permalink Reply by Bertrand on October 2, 2018 at 12:38pm

Auction houses will take a lower commission than Perry but, without a COA from a reputable authenticator in the business, it may be difficult to get a good price with them.

With Perry, he will issue a COA for the sale.

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Permalink Reply by Adele on October 4, 2018 at 4:52pm

Thanks for the info.

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Permalink Reply by marc e on October 5, 2018 at 9:38pm

why do say auction houses will take less than ebay

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Permalink Reply by marc e on October 5, 2018 at 9:37pm

perry , frank or heritage auctions .that would be my best guess, do u want them brookerd or try ur luck at auction or just sell them out right for a number your comfortable with.

those are decisions u will have to make

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Permalink Reply by Mark Saunders on September 30, 2018 at 4:37pm

Put me on the list of interested buyers.

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Permalink Reply by Adele on September 30, 2018 at 4:45pm

Mark, I sent you a friend request. Feel free to send me an message.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan on October 5, 2018 at 12:21pm

I would be interested as well. Friend request sent. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by stu deitcher on October 3, 2018 at 5:42pm

These look real for sure.

If you want some Unreal Beatles Items check out the "High End Memorabilia Auction." It goes off in 3 days.

Great stuff. A couple "signed" guitars "By The Beatles" as well as a "Hey Jude Signed Album cover." Just great stuff if you want Fantasy Beatles item. Interesting to note that the "reserve" for the Hey Jude Album hasn't been met yet. Since there are NO real Hey Jude albums then this is a great opportunity to have the "only one" (at least in Fantasy Land).

Check it out the items for auction; they are Simply Amazing and totally unreal!