NEW YORK (Kyodo). A painting made collaboratively by the Beatles during their tour of Japan in 1966 has sold for $1.74 million in an auction at Christie's, according to the auction house.
Christie's said the work later titled "Images of a Woman," auctioned in New York on Thursday, is "the only known painting made and signed" by all four members of the renowned British rock band -- John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
THE BEATLES, 1966 Images of a Woman signed 'John Lennon', 'Paul McCartney', 'Ringo Star' and 'George Harrison'.
acrylic and watercolor on Japanese art paper
21 ½ x 31 in. (54.6 x 78.8 cm.), the image
39 ¼ x 39 ¾ (99.7 x 101 cm.), framed together with a Certificate of Authenticity from Tracks UK and a hardcopy of Robert Whitaker, Eight Days a Week: Inside The Beatles' Final World Tour, New York, 2008. - Read more on Christies
As a result of international Beatlemania, the group was confined to their suite in the Tokyo Hilton except for when they performed. They attended just one official press conference, although both John Lennon and Paul McCartney are reported to have sneaked out briefly to go sightseeing.
Whether they do or not, Christie's said “the so-called ‘Images of a Woman’ is the only known substantial piece of art made by the four Beatles in their years together – an extraordinary and unique item that has the best of provenance.”
Images of a Woman” was acquired by Tetsusaburo Shimoyama, chairman of the Beatles fan club of Tokyo, after their visit. The painting sold to record store owner Takao Nishino in 1989, was initially auctioned in 2012, and goes under the hammer again on Feb. 1 in New York as Lot 39 in the Exceptional Sale.
Meantime an original artwork by Paul McCartney and Beatles signed album cover sold at auction
Done on the inside front cover of a sketchbook which measures 12 x 9 in sold for $50,000
Paul McCartney used a combination of colored pencils and crayons, he has drawn 3 figures: a profile of a man with a big nose smoking a cigarette, an older heavy set man wearing a tie and a woman with pink and orange hair.
Below these images he has written, “Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so printable”, written musical notes, below which he has drawn symbol code for “Private Eye”.
He then signed “Paul McCartney was here” in blue fountain pen adding, “76”.
Beatles' 62 Strat, McCartney Hofner bass, Elvis’ Gibson LG-1 are heading to the auction and big money bids are forecasted.
Some big auction news has just broke – Paul McCartney’s “Paul McCartney woz here” 1960 Höfner Violin bass guitar and a 1962 Fender Stratocaster that became a backstage favorite of the Beatles when touring with Chris Montez are going under the hammer.
The Beatles First Ever U.S. Album Signed “Meet the Beatles” Signed to George Harrison’s Sister 2 Days After Their First Historic Ed Sullivan Show with Photographs
Offered here is the holy grail of Beatles signed albums, a “Meet the Beatles” album signed by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison & Ringo Starr to George Harrison’s Sister Louise.
The Beatles inscribed the album, “To Lou with love from Brother!! George Harrison," "To Lou many love from John Lennon, x," "To Louise with love from your older brother!! Paul McCartney, xxx," and "To Lou, Lots of love, Ringo Starr, xxx.”
In very good to fine condition, with light soiling, partial edge separations, and a small area of surface loss to the front.
The record is not included.
This album even has photographs of the Beatles signing the album to Louise!
The eldest Harrison child, Louise emigrated from Britain years before her kid brother George would form a band called the Beatles. She settled in Benton, IL, and by 1963, had become a staunch supporter for her brother’s group, lugging their records to any radio station that would listen. When the Beatles hit international stardom, Louise was there, too, experiencing firsthand the whirlwind of Beatlemania.
From an interview with REBEAT Magazine, Louise explains her relationship with the other members: ‘For me it was like getting three more brothers. We just all blended in as if we’d always known each other. But I’ve always made a point of never pursuing them. There were so many millions of Beatle fans after them, so I never tried to get in touch with them unless I was there the same time as them for some reason.’
