Very Rare, early “George Harrison – (a Beatle)” autograph – Court appearance for Driving Without Due Care and Attention – June 12 1963

This auction is for a very rare piece of early Beatles’ memorabilia from the period 43 years ago when the group had only just begun what was to become its meteoric rise to fame in the UK and lead to international superstar status.

I obtained George’s autograph as the result of a road traffic accident that wrecked the Beatles’ van when it skidded and crashed on a dangerous bend.  This accident could so easily have resulted in the death or serious injury of all four members of the group just one month before the “Please Please Me” album was released to critical acclaim in the UK.

Please note that this autograph is NOT a glossy signed photograph or album cover nor has it been framed or mounted on velvet to push up its value.  Instead it is a genuine autograph on a tatty scrap of paper (all that was available at the time) that George kindly signed for me after his conviction in my home town’s Magistrates’ Court for a motoring offence at a time when he was still personally driving the Beatles’ van between gigs. 

The provenance of this relic could not be better as it is supported by a photocopy (taken from the microfiche archive) of the local newspaper article that reported the court proceedings.  The autograph has been in my possession ever since.

The newspaper article itself is of great historical interest as it refers to “One of the guitarists in the group, George Harrison (20) described as a musician of 174 Mackets Lane, Woolton, Liverpool” being fined £10 after pleading not guilty to the charge of driving without due care and attention.

A local policeman told the Bench how he had seen Harrison’s van being driven at a speed he considered to be excessive in the early hours of February 14 1963 when the group was driving back to Liverpool after an engagement in Hull - (this was long before the M62 trans-Pennine motorway was built.) Moments later he heard a loud crash.  Investigating, the constable saw “four men pushing the vehicle back onto the road” after it had demolished seven concrete bollards and left skid marks for a distance of 56 feet on the road surface. In court George blamed the accident on the icy road conditions at the time denying that his driving had been in any way negligent. Unfortunately the Court did not accept his explanation.

The autograph, written with a ballpoint pen on a small piece of paper measuring 5 ¼ inches x 1 ¾ inches (133mm x 45mm) is unusual because George obviously felt it necessary at the time to explain who he was by adding “(A BEATLE)” in capital letters underneath his signature.  Just imagine him having to do that even two months later!  His signature is very mature for a 20 year old and was written with great confidence.  The capital “E”s in “BEATLE” are unusual in being rounded rather than formed from straight lines and it would be interesting to obtain a graphologist’s interpretation of the writing.

Please be aware that when the piece of paper was accidentally torn many years ago it was repaired with a strip of sellotape on the reverse.  Also, at some time the “A” in “A BEATLE” has been obliterated by an inkblot. The photographs are an accurate indication of the condition of this autograph which has been stored out of the light and is relatively unfaded.

The autograph is offered together with two copies of the front page of the local newspaper, one of which has been enlarged to make the article easier to read. I’d love to hear Sir Paul’s and Ringo’s recollections of the accident.

This is a unique opportunity to obtain an unusual, desirable and historically evocative autograph that will add significantly to any collection of Beatles' memorabilia.

I will of course be happy to supply a certificate of authenticity to the lucky buyer.

Please note that because of the rarity of this item I have quoted Royal Mail 'Special Delivery Next Day' postage (UK only) as it provides up to £500 compensation for loss or damage in transit.  I would not want to entrust this item to ordinary first class or recorded delivery mail.

Please e-mail me if you have any questions.

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OVERSEAS BUYERS:  You may wish to take advantage of Royal Mail's 'Airsure' or 'International Signed For' services which provide up to £500 additional compensation for a supplementary fee of approximately £6.00.