Online auction of Liverpool ECHO souvenir edition signed by the Beatles sparks huge interest

AN HISTORIC copy of the Liverpool ECHO, dating from 1964 and signed by three members of the Fab Four, has sparked worldwide interest after being auctioned online.
The special commemorative edition, titled “Salute to the Beatles”, was produced by the ECHO to mark the group’s return to England after their triumphant first tour of America.
But the real selling point of the “Pop Special” is that it is signed by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
The paper includes a 16-page “Beatles in America” souvenir insert, which features photographs of the group in Central Park, in Washington DC and on Miami Beach.
It also shows the band on The Ed Sullivan Show and arriving at London Airport on February 22, 1964.
The paper is being offered for sale on the PFC Auctions website, with the closing date for bids at 7.30pm on May 24.
Auction spokeswoman Kylie Whitehead said: “This unique piece of memorabilia beautifully captures Liverpool’s pride and admiration for the Beatles. This is a delightful set of signatures that we are sure will excite Beatles collectors around the world.”
To complete the set of signatures, the lot also includes a blank train dining bill signed by Ringo Starr.
The current highest bid for the paper – which originally sold for one shilling – is £976.
The band members signed: “John/Lennon”, “Love to Ann/Paul McCartney” and “George/Harrison/To Annie [illegible]” across the colour cover front page, which features illustrations of each band member and a photograph of the group.
The insert includes a full-page advert for Sonny Boy Williams’s February 26 performance at the Cavern Club. The lower part of the advert reads “Our Heartiest Congratulations to Liverpool’s Pride and Joy Those Absolutely Marvellous Beatles on their Outstanding Conquest of the USA!”
The auction website is also inviting bids for two other Beatles-related items. One is a black leather suitcase owned by John Lennon, for which the current highest bid is £1,331.
The other is an autographed sketch by Lennon in blue pen.
The large autograph, which reads “For Peter, best from John Lennon xxx” is accompanied by a sketch of a walking abstract figure.
It was originally acquired when Lennon was staying at the Imperial Hotel, in Torquay, and the starting price for bids is £2,500.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk