Expert: Pattie - 8/30/2008

Question
QUESTION: While doing a clean up recently I found a photo of the 4 lads. My father tells me it was taken in 1963 when they played at the Adelphi Cinema in Dublin,Ireland. It is in colour and is in good condition. Do you think it could have any value and how would I go about selling it.

ANSWER: Hi there, Darren!

Well, I can tell you a few things about the picture. If it was definitely taken at the Adelphi in Dublin, then the date of the picture is November 7, 1963. I'll need a little more information about the picture to give you an accurate price range though. Can you tell me the dimensions of the picture, whether or not you own the negative and the general quality of the picture's image? Is it blurry or clear? Is the picture of the entire band or is anyone missing? How close up to the band was the photographer? Also, do you know who actually took the picture? In other words, is it a professional shot or a fan shot? I collect pictures of the band and also of John Lennon and for my money,the early shots are the best ones to get. Price range will vary depending on the qualities I've mentioned above. If it's indeed a fan shot and one that you recently discovered, then chances are it's un-circulated, which will raise the price considerably. Give me a little more info and I'll be happy to help you further. In the meantime, thanks for the question!

Peace,
Pattie
8^)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Pattie and thank you for your fast reply. Basically the photo is 12.5cm wide and just under 9cm high.It is a very clear pic. It is a good close up, maybe from ten feet away. It is hard to judge. Did the cameras back then have zoom? lol.

It has the four lads lined up against a grey stripped backdrop. They are facing the camera. It is a head and shoulder pic. They are wearing a white shirt and dark tie under their collarless grey suit jacket.

Unfortunatly I dont have the negative. It was a family member who took the photo. My father had it in some type of old scrap book then he gave it to me some years ago and I only found it recently while doing a clearout. The picture is in fairly good condition considering its age. It has some small creases in it and has bits of glue on the back of it from when my father had it in his scrapbook but otherwise its all good.

ANSWER: Hi again, Darren. Well, I went through my stuff and I own 2 pictures taken at that concert. If they're on stage in your picture, then the "grey stripped backdrop" is actually a curtain that's behind them, the "strips" being the folds of the curtain. If they're not on stage, it's likely they're at a press conference. If a family member took the picture, then yes, it's un-circulated and more valuable. If you want to sell the picture as-is, you could probably get a minimum of $250-$400 US dollars (it's still difficult to grade without actually seeing the picture) on a place like eBay. You can also contact auction houses like Christies, Sotheby's or "It's Only Rock & Roll" and have them auction the picture for you, but they do take a large portion of the profits. There are other ways to make money from it though. If you know someone with a photo-lab, you can have a negative made and then you can sell prints for about $40 each on eBay. If you go that route though, make sure it's someone you know doing the processing and make sure you're in the room when the negative is being made. Don't let the picture out of your sight, or I'll guarantee, the lab will make one for themselves and there go your profits. That's how un-circulated things get circulated LOL. My advice to you though is to hang on to it. It will only get more valuable as time passes. I'd certainly love to see it myself! If you need any other assistance, don't hesitate to ask!

Peace,
Pattie
8^)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Pattie. Well again thank you for the prompt response. I was considering selling it on. The cash would come in handy. I dont think I would be interested in getting the negative done and selling prints. Also I dont know anybody that works in a photo lab so nobody I can trust. Is there a way to get it authenticated and valued. How would I go about selling it on.

Many thanks for your time.
Darren.  

Answer
Hi Darren 8^)

You can't really have it truly authenticated and valued without physically showing the picture to a reputable dealer/grader in Beatles memorabilia. I'm taking a guess that you're in the UK. If you are, you may want to consider a trip to Liverpool to visit Stephen Bailey at the Beatles Shop on Mathew Street. He's a very good judge of these things. You can find him here: http://www.thebeatleshop.co.uk/

You can also contact Pete Nash, who works as the editor and also the memorabilia expert for the British Beatles Fan Club. He's also an eBay dealer with a great reputation. I've dealt with him in the past and have always come away happy. You can find him here: http://www.britishbeatlesfanclub.co.uk/about.html

Good luck to you!

Peace,
Pattie
8^)