^Lot 818 Beatles: Brian Epstein

Famed Beatles discoverer and manager. Restaurant table card from the Plaza Hotel in New York, 6 x 3.75, signed on the reverse in black ballpoint by Epstein. Signature was obtained at the Plaza on August 14, 1965, at a performance by Cilla Black at the Persian Room, just one day before The Beatles record breaking concert at Shea Stadium. In very good condition, with beginning of signature light due to irregular ink flow, a few stray ink marks, and scattered creasing and soiling. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from the original recipient recounting the meeting with Epstein. In part: “A small group of friends and I decided to see Cilla Black at the Persian Room of the Plaza…A few minutes later the table next to us…filled up with a group of men. I recognized at least one person as a member of Sounds Incorporated, an opening act to the Beatles, and motioned to my friends…I was sitting a few feet away from Brian Epstein…I…finally got up the nerve to ask him for his autograph. Not having any paper, I grabbed a place card from our table and push it toward him with a pen that didn’t fully work that well. He said nothing, but signed the card (after trying to make the pen work).” Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks.