Contract which launched The Beatles' career and signed by all of the Fab Four in 1962 expected to sell for £500,000 at auction 

  • Contract brought together the Beatles and manager Brian Epstein in 1962
  • It was signed by 'Fab Four' line-up just days before release of first single
  • Document is expected to make up to £500,000 when it is auctioned 

By Mail on Sunday Reporter

Published: 19:12 EST, 5 September 2015 | Updated: 03:07 EST, 6 September 2015

The contract that launched the most successful pop partnership of all time – bringing together the Beatles and manager Brian Epstein – is expected to make up to £500,000 when it is auctioned.

It is the only contract signed by Epstein and the 'Fab Four' line-up of John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

The document was signed on October 1, 1962, just days before the release of The Beatles' first single, Love Me Do.

From left to right, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, manager Brian Epstein, and John Lennon

From left to right, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, manager Brian Epstein, and John Lennon

Stardom: The document was signed just days before the release of The Beatles' first single, Love Me Do

Stardom: The document was signed just days before the release of The Beatles' first single, Love Me Do

It goes under the hammer at Sotheby's Rock & Pop sale on September 29.

Gabriel Heaton, Sotheby's specialist in books and manuscripts, said: 'Without this contract, and the relationship it represents, it seems inconceivable that the Beatles could have achieved all that they did: it took more than inspired musicianship and song-writing to remake popular music.

'The presentation, direction, and internal harmony of the Beatles all owed a huge amount to Brian Epstein. He was, as Paul McCartney has acknowledged, the Fifth Beatle.' 

Prior to this contract, the band, which then included Pete Best as drummer instead of Ringo Starr, had signed a contract with Epstein.

It is the only contract signed by Epstein and the 'Fab Four' line-up of Lennon, Harrison, McCartney and Starr

It is the only contract signed by Epstein and the 'Fab Four' line-up of Lennon, Harrison, McCartney and Starr

From left to right, Brian Epstein, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1966

From left to right, Brian Epstein, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1966

But following Best's replacement with Starr, they then drafted and signed the new contract.

At the time of signing, both McCartney and Harrison were under 21, so their fathers acted as co-signatories.

A few interesting terms of agreement in the contract included Epstein being appointed manager for five years. 

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