Vic: Beatles' autographs draws record price in Melbourne

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2001
Vic: Beatles' autographs draws record price in Melbourne

The autographs of three Beatles and a possible JOHN LENNON thumbprint from the band's
1964 Australian tour have sold at auction in Melbourne for a record $48,000.

The signatures of LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY AND GEORGE HARRISON were secured by a fan
at the band's hotel in Adelaide. RINGO STARR had laryngitis and had to remain in London.

JOHN ROPER of Melbourne-based ROPER GARRICK Fine Art auctioneers says the price, believed
to be an Australian record, is well above original estimates of $20,000.

The autographs have been bought by an anonymous Australian collector.

Mr ROPER says he understands the Beatles were having pizza in their hotel room in Adelaide
when they signed their autographs but he doesn't know if the thumb-print is that of the
pizza man or JOHN LENNON.

AAP RTV svm/clr/ldj/jn

KEYWORD: BEATLES (MELBOURNE)

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