Offered here is a rare, original program from The Beatles’ historic appearance at the ‘Royal Variety Performance’ which took place in front of Queen Elizebeth, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden at the Prince Of Wales Theatre, London, England on 4th November 1963. This program has been fully signed by The Beatles around their image on the inside pages of the program. John, Paul and Ringo have signed in black ballpoint pen, George has signed in ink. The appearance was the group’s biggest show to date. The Beatles appeared seventh on a 19-act bill, and performed ‘From Me To You’, She Loves You’, ‘Till There Was You’ and ‘Twist And Shout.’ Before starting the final song John uttered the now famous words, ‘For our last number I’d like to ask your help. For the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands, and the rest of you, if you’d just rattle your jewelry.’
John’s famous comment can be seen on the YouTube clip below.
The 1963 Royal Variety Performance came at the height of the first wave of Beatlemania. 'She Loves You' had been in the UK charts since August and 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' was about to be released with advance sales of a million copies. The London Palladium had been besieged by hysterical fans when the band played there in October; and they had just returned from five days in Sweden, their first overseas tour since their Hamburg days. The iconic image of The Beatles on the inside of the program was captured on the 22nd of August, 1963, by famed British photographer Robert Freeman in the dining room of the Palace Court Hotel, Bournemouth, England, and would go on to be used as the front cover of their second UK album ‘With The Beatles’ which would be released on 22nd November 1963. Two months later, the photo would famously be used as the front cover of the Beatles’ U.S. debut album, ‘Meet The Beatles’ released on 20th January 1964. This, along with their 9th February 1964 appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, would mark the official launch of Beatlemania in the Unites States.
The 52-page program has also been signed by many other artists that appeared on the bill that night, including, Marlene Dietrich, Susan Maughan, Eric Sykes, Joe Loss, Max Bygraves, Charlie Drake, Tommy Steele, Harry Secombe, Donald Swann and Buddy Greco, Donals Swann, and Joe Loss. The autographs were obtained in person by determined British autograph hunter Peter Bland. However, Peter was unable to obtain George Harrison’s autograph that night but managed to secure it in person at a later date, thus completing the program; George adding his autograph in neatly below the photograph of The Beatles and above John’s autograph. Complete sets of Beatles autographs, in any form, are considered rare and desirable. Fully signed programs from their historic Royal Variety Performance are exceedingly scarce and highly prized, with even fewer examples having surfaced with all four Beatles’ signatures appearing beside their image of the famous Freeman photograph. Accompanied by a modern photograph of The Beatles at the event. The program measures 21cm x 29.5cm (8.25 inches x 11.6 inches). Condition is very good plus. Accompanied by full Letters of Authenticity from Frank Caiazzo, Tracks LTD and Beckett Authentication Services.