Rare Fab Four records bring back flood of happy memories

Liverpool auctioneer Adam Partridge brought back happy household memories. Back in the swinging sixties big sister had all The Beatles singles on order and we always knew when a new release was on the turntable – it was accompanied by father bellowing: ‘Turn that music down!’

Partridge had some fine Beatles rarities in last month’s sale – several demonstration discs including the Fab Four’s first hit, Love Me Do.

The Love Me Do and P.S. I Love You Parlophone 7-inch demonstration record was released in 1962. In September that year, around 250 promotional copies were sent to journalists and radio stations to drum up interest in the first release by the record company’s most recent signing.

The white labels have a large Red A on the A side — Love Me Do — and curiously, the label shows Paul Mccartney’s name misspelt as Mcartney, while the sleeve’s back cover had a boxed warning: ‘This record must be played at 45rpm!’

Love Me Do, with John Lennon’s brilliant harmonica playing, was The Beatles’ debut single in October 1962. Surprisingly, given what lay in the future, it reached only No 17 in the charts. It was then re-promoted and reached No 4.

This rare item took £2,700. You will know, of course, that Beatles memorabilia is one of the commodities that holds value through thick and thin.

The 7in demonstration disc for From Me to You and Thank You Girl took £1,050. Things We Said Today and A Hard Day’s Night took £780. I Want to Hold Your Hand and This Boy sold for £760. And finally, Please Please Me and Ask Me Why was knocked down for £1,250.

Picture: Love Me Do, £2,700 (Adam Partridge).