Author's Beatles Blog - Page 46 of 74

Posted on 20/10/202231/05/2024 by liddypool — 1 Comment

Derek Taylor – Genesis of an Idea

George Harrison – I Me Mine

The king of producing limited edition Beatles-related books is undoubtedly, Genesis Publications Ltd, based in the UK. Since the late Brian Roylance made the arrangements to publish George Harrison’s signed “I Me Mine” volume back in the early to mid 1970’s, the publishers have continued to publish books of intense interest to Beatles fans. At last count, more than 30 Beatles-related Genesis books have been issued.

Beautifully produced and bound in Italy, the mostly leather-bound volumes are superb in the way they are crafted, and the materials used to present them. Many Beatles fans however are skeptical and cynical about the higher prices the limited-edition books command as for many the cost is prohibitive.

The Cover from It Was Twenty Years Ago Today

Derek Taylor

Many collectors of Genesis titles may wonder what the rarest Beatles-related title is that they produced. Many people are not aware that the hardest to acquire Genesis Beatles-related title is actually a reprint of what was an already released book by the late Derek Taylor, the Beatles former publicist. His book, “It was Twenty Years Ago Today” was issued as a signed 100 copy issue by Genesis.

The publishers honored my request to allow me to purchase the last numbered copy, number 100, for my personal collection. Many people have asked me why the fascination with the last numbered copy of a limited-edition book. Here is the logic behind the reasoning. Obtaining the first numbered copy is virtually impossible to do as a result of the high demand for that numbered copy of the book. Having what turns out to be the last copy, holds an equally important fascination to me as no more limited-edition copies will ever appear or be made. That is the psychology behind requesting the last numbered copy. That coupled with the excellent writing ability of Mr. Taylor, makes this a book to be treasured.

Derek’s book, marking the 20th anniversary of the release of Sgt. Pepper and Derek’s recollections of the essence of the counterculture of the ’60s make this a wonderful book to have!

Alternative Covers

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Posted on 17/10/202217/10/2022 by liddypool — 5 Comments

The Apple Store Photograph

Bill Zygmant – Psychedelic Photograph

It is one of the most iconic photos of swinging London and of the Beatles’ Apple empire. Taken by Bill Zygmant, he explains how he came to take this photo.

“After the photographing of the caravan, I was driving through London and I saw this building being painted. And I thought; “I recognise that design”. It was done by the same artist – “The Fool” – from Holland. So, I took the pictures, just before it was finished, and of course it was whitewashed a few days later because they didn’t have planning permission. There are no other good pictures of it, because it wasn’t up for that long.”

Located on the corner of Baker Street and Paddington Street, Marylebone, The Beatles’ Apple Boutique was
opened on 7th December 1967 to a great fanfare. However, it was chaotic, as was most of the Apple ventures. It closed on 31st July 1968, with The Beatles announcing a free-for-all.

The iconic design was from a collective known as “The Fool”. They consisted of Dutch designers Simon Posthuma and Mrijke Koeger, together with artist Josje Leeger. These three had met Simon Hayes and Barry Finch on a trip to London, and decided to work together under the name, “The Fool”. The introduction to The Beatles came through George’s wife Patti.

Get Bill’s incredible book of photographs of the Beatles and many more iconic musicians and celebrities, together with their stories from Bill’s incredible life.

It is a Limited Edition book of only 250 copies with a signed photograph of John and Yoko worth £50!

Bill Zygmant – Where Did You Get That Shirt? (Signed Limited Edition)

Get your copy of Bill Zygmant’s portfolio book of unique photographs covering his career from the late 1960s to the 1980s.

This will be a signed, numbered edition – maximum of 250 numbered editions.

It comes with one of Bill’s signed photographs, which usually sells for £50!

£75.00

Shop now

Posted on 16/10/202231/05/2024 by liddypool — 1 Comment

Jackie Lomax

This is technically not a print product like a book or a magazine but it can hold tangential interest to Beatles fans on a number of fronts just the same.

This recording was released in 2014 on the Angel Hair label. It had previously been unreleased though it did appear previously on a bootleg recording. The recording was made back in 1970 while Apple Records was beginning to go through its disintegration. Despite being the first artist to sign with Apple Records, Jackie Lomax became aware, as Allen Klein came into the picture, that perhaps Apple was no longer the nirvana that people had envisioned.

Contributing Musicians

Not officially released during his lifetime, Jackie’s family was able to finally negotiate a posthumous release of the LP on cd. Of additional interest to Beatles fans, Pete Ham and Tom Evans, Apple artists from the group Badfinger, sing backing harmonies on track 8 and Bobby Keys and Jim Price, horn players who have backed John, George and Ringo also played on this LP.

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Posted on 13/10/202231/05/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

The Beatles – A Private View

Robert Freeman

There are many differing views about limited edition Beatles books and records. Some collectors like to own items not easily available to others. They take pride in the exclusivity of the product that they may have. Others may resent both the expense of the item and their lack of ability to obtain one.

Limited Edition

I must say, as a collector I truly enjoy these limited-edition books very much if there is something special and unique that is present only on the limited edition. The boxset you see here is a limited-edition slip-cased version of noted Beatles photographer, Robert Freeman’s book, “The Beatles: A Private View.” This edition was one of 2,500 copies.

Special Feature

The special feature of this book was a signed print of Robert Freeman’s submitted photo collage that would have been the cover of the LP “Revolver” if the Beatles had not chosen Klaus Voormann’s cover instead. A bit of historical trivia for Beatles fans. It has been speculated that Robert Freeman’s wife was the inspiration for the John Lennon song, “Norwegian Wood.”

The Alternative Revolver Cover

Robert Freeman's Idea for "Revolver" — Robert Freeman’s Idea for “Revolver”

The book was published by Big Tent Entertainment; Limited edition (Oct. 25 2003)

The following letter accompanied the book, from the publisher.

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Posted on 10/10/202231/05/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

With A Little Help! From Our Friends

Three books from a few of the character actors in the Beatles movie, “Help!”

Leo McKern, Eleanor Bron, and Victor Spinetti

Leo McKern Just Resting — Leo McKern – Just Resting

Leo played the character Clang/Klang in the movie and Eleanor portrayed the role of Ahme.

Victor had the role of the conniving Foot

Leo McKern’s book was published by Methuen in 1983, Bron’s book was published by Jonathan Cape in 1985. Spinetti’s book was published in 2006 by Pavilion Books.

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Posted on 07/10/202231/05/2024 by liddypool — 2 Comments

Beatles Graffiti

Beatles Graffiti

It is amazing the variety of Beatles-related book titles that have appeared over the years. This one holds a special place in my heart for several reasons.

A while back I came across an Online Kickstarter campaign designed to help finance the sale and distribution of what I saw as a very special Beatles-related book. A gentleman named Jonathan Armstrong was assisting a lady named Jo Holden to publish a book of Beatles graffiti that appeared on the famous Abbey Road wall outside the EMI studios. Jo’s husband, photographer Martin Holden had spent 12 years photographing the various postings of Beatles grafitti on the wall because he was fascinated with the worldwide impact of the group and how fans still maintained their intense interest in them

To quote Marton Holden’s friend, Jonathan Armstrong:

“In October of 2018, Martin was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. Despite this prognosis, he continued to visit the studios and remained determined to keep the project going. He lost his battle in August 2019, and now Martin’s widow Jo is committed to finishing his work, both as a tribute to him and as closure to the long personal journey they took together.”

Sketch on Abbey Road Wall

As a special feature for the people that contributed to the Kickstarter campaign to finance the book, an artist would draw a little sketch like the walrus shown below and a message written by the pledge donor would accompany the sketch on the Abbey Road wall. The artist would photograph it before it was washed away the following month. My contribution to that book is presented in the middle panel of the picture below the book cover. The artist that did the walrus drawing for my post and I believe the person that took the photograph is named Robert Rubbish. People that purchased this book were also contributing to brain tumor research.

I believe there is a website where interested parties can still find and purchase this book if they are interested! I was so happy to have been able to acquire a copy of this wonderful title which encapsulates the continuing importance of the band to our culture.

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