A set of signatures of The Beatles are being sold by a Lichfield auctioneer.
The autograph book, which also bears a personalised inscription by the band’s roadie Mal Evans and a piece of broken plectrum used by Paul McCartney, will go under the hammer at Richard Winterton Auctioneers on 22nd January.
The signatures were collected for 15-year-old Louisa Walne at De Montfort Hall in Leicester 1964.
The book is being sold by retired GP Dr Julian Dennis who has looked after it for the past 50 years. He said:
“Louisa and I married in 1973 – she was the daughter of my mother’s best friend and I didn’t get to know her until after her encounter with The Beatles.”
Dr Julian Dennis
Louisa specialised in children’s care while at nursing school in Birmingham and then went to London to be with Julian and became a staff nurse at Westminster Children’s Hospital.
She later became sister in charge of the children’s ward at St Stephen’s Hospital in Fulham.
But she died at the age of 24 in 1974 following a blood clot, just six months after marrying Julian.
“The autograph book has been with me for a long time and for many years I didn’t want to sell it because it was Louisa’s.
“But it has been 50 years and I think the time has come to pass this fascinating keepsake on.
“I was – and still am – a massive Beatles fan and their music has accompanied me throughout my life.
“It’s impossible to name a favourite song but Paul was my favourite Beatle and to have a piece of a plectrum he used is undeniably special.”
Dr Julian Dennis
Now married to Frances, Julian fully retired in 2014 after 35 years as a medical practitioner.
Other autographs in the book include Gerry Marsden, Tommy Quickly, Cliff Richard and Hank Marvin.
Robert French, valuer at Richard Winterton Auctioneers, said:
“With last year’s poignant ‘final single’ Now And Then, plus the enduring popularity of Peter Jackson’s Get Back, The Beatles remain an enduring presence in all our lives.
“There remains huge affection for the group worldwide and we expect considerable interest in the auction, especially due to the wonderful provenance of the book.
“The other autographs from Cliff Richard, Gerry Marsden and Tommy Quickly tie in with the dates they played De Montfort Hall and show the venue was clearly one Louisa liked to go to.”
Robert French
The autograph book is expected to fetch between £4,500 and £5,500.
The full catalogue can be viewed a week before the sale at www.richardwinterton.co.uk/auction-dates.
