Expert: Pattie - 11/15/2008

Question
Are there any posters/prints out there suitable for framing of The beatles from their Hamburg/leather days; likewize any plates of the solo beatles?

Answer
Hi Peter!

Absolutely! There are some great prints out there of the Beatles taken in Hamburg, most especially the ones taken by Astrid Kirchherr and also Jurgen Vollmer. Unfortunately, they aren't exactly low in price. To get Astrid's prints, go to this website: http://www.rockstore.net/Merchant/subpages/astrid.html I've purchased a print of Astrid's from that site (the one of John at the Funfair with Stu in the background) and was extremely pleased with what I received. They're available in various sizes and types. I also have two great posters of John in leather taken in Hamburg by Jurgen Vollmer (one is the picture John used for the cover of his "Rock & Roll" LP). I got those via eBay. I just had a look and there's nothing listed right now, but keep searching under 'Jurgen Vollmer Beatles poster' and see what you get. I did find one of Jurgen's online at this site: http://www.visualgallery.com/lennonvollmer.html I might also suggest that you contact Steven Bailey at the Beatles Shop in Liverpool. I was there recently and he has a lot of great posters for sale, some of which were taken in Hamburg with them in leather gear. His website is: http://www.thebeatleshop.co.uk/ There's another photographer who took some wonderful pictures of the Beatles in leather named Albert Marion, but those weren't taken in Hamburg, they're posed promotional pictures taken in the UK. They're hard to find normally, but here's a place that has two different prints for sale: http://www.iphotocentral.com/search/detail.php/128/13/0/EB002/13

As for collectible plates, I've seen many different plates of the Beatles as a group, but not really any from their solo years. There is one available of John's 'self portrait' doodle, and many others of his artwork, but that's about it. You can find those here: http://www.thefest.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=222_197 There is one of Ringo Starr that I've seen and here's a link to a place it can be purchased: http://www.strawberrywalrus.com/ringo.html I'll keep looking around and if I see anything, I'll post a follow-up to this for you. Good luck and thanks for the question!

Peace,
Pattie
8^)