NEMS Archives - The Beatles Bookstore

The NEMS Contract – Sign It On The Dotted Line!!!

When I ran the now defunct Beatles in Print page on Facebook, I posted the following item on that page and it seemed to generate a lot of keen interest.

Most Beatles collectors would probably agree that one of the most desirable pieces of Beatles memorabilia to have an authentic set of their four signatures. I was fortunate to have purchased a set from the Sotheby’s auction house before the price explosion of autographs occurred following the death of John Lennon. Collecting is often a feature of being at the right place at the right time and going with your instincts. I could kick myself as I once had the opportunity to purchase John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics to “Because” and I did not pull the trigger figuring it was way too expensive.

Well, you can “imagine” what I think of that decision now! However I was happy with this purchase, it features all four of the Beatles signatures on a NEMS stock transfer issued in 1967 several months following the death of their manager, Brian Epstein. What is unusual about this document is that it also features the signatures of Brian Epstein’s mother, Queenie Epstein, and his brother Clive Epstein. The signature of Ringo is very rare as well as he signs the document in his real name-R. Starkey (Richard Starkey). Documents with the signatures that appear with this configuration are extremely rare. Signatures from 1967 are also well-sought after as that was the year credited to be the apex of their career.

A photo of part of the back of the stock transfer that features the four signatures of the Beatles.

The NEMS Contract with The Beatles signatures

The front page of the NEMS stock transfer.

Beatles Hummer?

Here’s an odd artifact from the Fab Four days…you could use it to hum all of your favorite Beatle’s tunes. Yes, you put it into your mouth, and then…hum!

Manufactured by the Louis F. Dow Company and licensed by NEMS, a ‘hummer’ was a musical instrument. The Hummer was an 11″ x ¾” cardboard tube, which sported a lithographed picture of The Beatles and facsimile signatures. Also printed on the tube was “original idea by Merrimaker, N. Y.”

Fab Four Colors

The mouthpiece that produced the musical tone had flared end pieces, which came in four colors: red (some say the rarest), blue, yellow, and white. The idea was that you hummed into it, and the perfect notes from the song would fill the air.

Merrimaker Corp. gave Dow the idea for the piece, which Dow proceeded to manufacture. In exchange for the concept, Dow conferred to Merrimaker Corp on June 5, 1964, rights to “sell for resale only and will not permit anyone else to sell in the USA the product “Hum-Along” Beatle horn or party favor instrument.”

Thanks for the Idea

Dow then added they would retain the rights to sell this item to “advertising specialty buyers & Beatles performance promoters or shows & to other resale outlets except for chain stores that Merrimaker will cover plus their regular jobbers throughout the USA.” From Dow to Merrimaker, this sublicense covered 1964 with “an option for one year’s renewal.” That was Dow’s ‘thanks for the idea’ concessions!

The poster that advertised the Hummer was 20″ x 11¼” and was also manufactured by Louis F. Dow. One poster came with each retail sales box of hummers. The upper section of the poster had The Beatles pictured in a doorway, and information about the Hummer printed on the lower part.

Also provided for retailers was an in-store white cardboard display box with a blueprint that measured 12″ x 9″ x 5″ and held about 80 hummers. The top of the display box was die-cut, so you could fold it out to stand it up at the back of the box. The box read: “Brand New! Exclusive! Get Your Official BEATLE HUMMER Great Fun! Start Your Own Beatle Combo! Picture Direct From London.”

The Merrimaker Corporation (DOS ID: 24082) was incorporated May 7, 1927, in New York. Their business is recorded as “DOMESTIC BUSINESS CORPORATION.”

Terry Crain

Find out more about The Beatles memorabilia in Terry’s great book:

NEMS and the Business of Selling Beatles Merchandise in the U.S. 1964-1966 (2ND EDITION)

The book covers the approximately 150 licensed items that dotted store shelves and helped fuel the band-crazed fan during the time right after the band landed in America and performed on The Ed Sullivan Show. Toys, games, dolls, jewelry, clothing, wigs, and more!

httpss://tredition.com/authors/terry-crain-10928/nems-and-the-business-of-selling-beatles-merchandise-in-the-u-s-1964-1966-paperback-2737/

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