2001

Beatles 'Love Me Do' Signed Single

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Beatles 'Love Me Do' Signed Single

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2017 Dec 14 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Parlophone 45 RPM single of 'Love Me Do' / 'P.S. I Love You' by the Beatles, first issue with label featuring "Made in Gt. Britain" credit, catalogue number "45–R 4949," and "Recording First Published 1962." The original red label is signed and inscribed on both sides in black ballpoint, "Carole, John Lennon," "Paul McCartney," and "Ringo Starr," and on the other side, "George Harrison." Record label matrix numbers on side A (7XCE 17144 45) and B (7XCE 17144 45), and run-out matrix numbers side A (7XCE 17144-1N) and B (7XCE 17145-1N), with a tax code of "ZT." Includes the original blue, red, yellow, and green multicolored sleeve. In fine condition. Accompanied by a typed letter of provenance for the record, as well a letter of provenance from a previous owner and friend of the original recipient, in part: "A dear friend of mine, bought this record upon its release in London ('62) and that evening her and a mate went to see the Beatles play live at a small venue, (I believe it was the Marque in Wardour Street). Anyway during their break, she asked them to sign her record, which they did, and John Lennon asked her for her name and wrote it next to his signature. My friend Carole left her 45 to me in her will, when she passed away."

Perhaps most interesting about this single is the rarity of the music itself—only the first UK pressings used the 'Love Me Do' track recorded in studio with Ringo Starr as the drummer. Dissatisfied with Ringo's work, producer George Martin hired Andy White as a session drummer and had them record a second version. All future British pressings of the single, the American release, and their Please Please Me debut album used the track featuring White on the drums; the version of the song on this 45 has only been sporadically re-released on compilation albums of rare or unusual Beatles recordings. A truly excellent piece representing the earliest days of the band.