Decca Audition Tape Among Beatles-Related Items to be Auctioned This Week

The auction begins on December 6

The Beatles audition tape
Among the items up for auction this week is The Beatles' audition tape for Decca Records.
Sotheby's

Have you ever wanted to wear a dress shirt previously donned by one of the Fab Four? Would owning a Ferrari handbook previously in the possession of George Harrison bring satisfaction to your life? Or would you prefer to become the owner of a piece of Beatles history — their 1962 audition tape for Decca Records? 

All of these things could be yours via an auction set to begin later this week at Sotheby’s — assuming you have the money, of course. 

The headline item is a copy of The Beatles’ audition tape for Decca Records, which is estimated to sell for between 50,000 and 70,000 GBP. This copy previously belonged to the group’s manager Brian Epstein, and occupies a storied place in their history

That’s arguably the biggest item in the auction, but there are plenty of other fascinating objects included in it. The overlap of Beatles history and automotive enthusiasts is represented via a selection of car-related paraphernalia from George Harrison and Ringo Starr, as well as Harrison’s Ferrari handbook

Buyers looking to take sartorial cues from The Beatles will also have a few options to choose from, including a JelTek raincoat owned by George Harrison and a quartet of suits from Apple Tailoring

Also in the mix? A host of 45s, one of Harrison’s guitars and a number of items associated with the film adaptation of Terry Southern’s novel The Magic Christian, which co-starred Starr. It’s a fascinating cross-section of objects, and it offers insight into the lives of The Beatles both inside and outside of music.

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