Valuation day in Widnes to make 60 years since Beatles debut

The fab four played at The Queen's Hall in September 1962, to mark the start of a long history in the town.

To commemorate this occasion Tracks, Beatles and music memorabilia specialists, are holding a valuation day at the Hillcrest Hotel, Widnes on September 4 between 10am to 4.30pm.

And residents are invited to bring any rare item of music memorabilia for a free valuation.

The market for Beatles and music related memorabilia which began in the 80s has since grown exponentially in size and significance. It is a market worth millions now and the scope is becoming increasingly wide in terms of the artists it includes.

The signatures of The Beatles have always brought the most money. A good clean set of autographs can be £4,000 upwards and a set from 1967 can be in excess of £5,000. Album sleeves autographed by The Beatles can bring £15,000 to £20,000 and even more if signed on one of the later releases. An album signed on the front cover by Led Zeppelin or Jimi Hendrix can realise over £10,000.

Concert memorabilia is another strong area of interest. Vintage concert posters from the 1960s relating to the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix or a poster from the 1970s relating to Led Zeppelin can bring around £10,000.

The Beatles played at Widnes five times. Their first concert took place on September 3, 1962 at the Queens Hall. It was the first of three consecutive Monday night NEMS presentations held in the town. The Beatles were supported on the first two concerts by Rory Storm and The Hurricanes.

The group played for a fourth time at the Queens Hall on the October 22, 1962. The final Beatles performance in Widnes took place in 1963 on February 18, both houses were sell-outs.

In Widnes, 1963 The Beatles carried out two signing sessions in Widnes in 1963 to promote the release of their new single ‘Love Me Do’. The first was at Dawson’s music shop, at 29 Albert Road in Widnes on October 5. The signing began at 4pm and lasted for half an hour. This was the day after the group’s first single, ‘Love Me Do’, was released. Each Beatles signed their name on the single’s red and silver label. The Beatles’ second autograph signing session took place later on this day at The Music Shop, 134 Widnes Road, Widnes.

Signed copies of ‘Love Me Do’ are extremely valuable these days. A copy signed clearly by all four Beatles on the A side could be worth £12,000 and a copy signed on the B side around £8,000.