The Beatles/Brian Epstein First Signed Contract

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This is the first signed contract between The Beatles and Brian Epstein

Brian Epstein claims he first became aware of The Beatles when a customer came into his record store asking for a copy of the My Bonnie single that the band had recorded with Tony Sheridan.

Epstein first met the band in 1961. It was decided that he should manage the band on December 10 that year and a management contract was signed by all four Beatles on January 24 1962.

This initial contract was not signed by Epstein, who handed the band a revised management contract on October 1 1962. Epstein later noted in his memoirs that he purposely didn’t sign the first contract to give the band a chance to walk away if he failed to find them a recording contract. At that time, the band were probably not aware of the great advantage that Epstein had presented them with.

By the time this revised contract was signed on October 1, The Beatles had already established a record deal with EMI, with their first single, ‘Love me Do’ to be released to October 5.

This contract appointed Epstein as The Beatles’ manager for the following five years, allowing him 25% of their gross earnings. Epstein’s obligations to the band included, amongst many other things, advising them on matters of clothes and make up and undertaking necessary advertising and publicity, including publicity connected with gramophone records. 

As George Harrison and Paul McCartney were both under the age of 21 at the time of signing, this contract also bears the required signatures of their fathers.

John Lennon’s autograph appears twice on the contract as he inadvertently signed in the wrong place at first, before crossing this out and signing in the correct position.

On January 22 1963, the contract was updated by a supplementary agreement, removing the clause which allowed either party to terminate the agreement with three months notice. Signed by The Beatles and Brian Epstein, the supplementary agreement is included in this lot.

All autographs on both the revised management contract and the supplementary agreement are accompanied by a bold red wax seal and the autographs of all attending witnesses.

This incredible document represents the beginning of one of the most important manager/band partnerships in the history of popular music.

A rare opportunity to own a document which shaped the course of music history.