Won’t You Take a Look…Having Read the (Beatles Scrap) Book
TIME IS A CONCEPT BY WHICH WE MEASURE OUR COMMON INTERESTS.
The Beatles Coming To America and The McCartneys Smoking POT!
A dominant interest in the earlier part of my life which has extended to my twilight years was to chronicle articles about the Beatles in my personal scrapbooks about the band. When interest in newspapers and print media in general began to dissipate and dissolve due to the explosion of the internet and digital media, my keen desire in keeping and maintaining the scrapbooks began to wane. It did not prevent me however from still buying Beatles-related books and magazines as new technologies will never destroy my love and interest in having physical print media to store the tales about the memories!!!
As you read these Beatles scrapbooks, remember I collected articles of various opinions and merely because I put the article in the scrapbook does NOT mean that I necessarily agree with what is being said in the respective article. Too often, when people read anything on the internet, there is a tendency to personalize the opinions that are expressed in the given articles as the opinions of the person that posted the articles themselves. It is not a fair assumption to make.
I am presenting this material on the blog to just expose you to many things that may have appeared in the press from a select period of time in our history. “WHAT A STORY”.
Hope you enjoy the ride on the coach…
I have only commented on a handful of the items that appear in this particular scrapbook and I hope that you will have an interest in viewing some of them!
So many Beatles fans miss Joe Pope ,and I am one of them!
Look at those prices then:
In the 1984 time frame that most of these articles appear, I was also very fortunate to be able to teach a collegiate course about the Beatles in Connecticut to mark the 20th anniversary of their arrival in the US. It was a rousing success and it convinced me that the study of this band would go on in the centuries to follow. They are HERE TO STAY!!!
Hope you enjoyed the latest Beatles scrapbook presentation from my personal collection.
There are many more of you are interested in seeing them! Please let me know if you would like to see more of them posted on the blog.
Thanks!
Be healthy and be happy!
Buzz
OUR BOOK OF THE WEEK AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE
It’s All Too Much
It’s All Too Much is the unique memoir by music industry veteran David Stark, who grew up in north London during the 1960s as a dedicated Beatles fan and was lucky enough to meet his musical heroes on various memorable occasions. From gate-crashing the Yellow Submarine film premiere in 1968 (aged just fifteen) and ending up sitting directly behind the group, to meeting all of them individually in some extraordinary circumstances, David has some highly entertaining stories about his many Beatles encounters which have never been told before.
I have posted this book before and it always attracts a lot of intense interest from viewers. It is by Carole M. Hopkin who is a painter and an artist who also happens to be the sister of Mary Hopkin, who we as Beatle fans are very aware of because of her association with Apple records, Paul McCartney, and the Beatles. This book entitled: Beatles & Beyondby Carole M.Hopkin was published in 2013 by Merton Press.
As a collector, it was one of the most difficult books for me to find and locate for my Beatles-related book collection. It must be noted that the book’s primary connection does not have the Beatles as its main focus. It is about the fascinating experiences of the life of Carole M. Hopkin. A friend in the UK wrote to me when I ran my old Beatles in Print Facebook page and was looking for a copy of this book. The Facebook friend told me he had an additional copy in his collection and that I could purchase it from him if I was interested.
I was delighted to say that I certainly was and quickly moved to add the wonderful book to my library. This is the book I acquired from him (shown below). As you may or may not know I try to collect many of the books that even haphazardly have something to do with or provide additional information that have a connection to the Beatles or the people that made contact with them over the years.
Sometimes you learn more about the true nature of the individuals that comprised that great band from these more obscure books than from an official biographer! That is usually due to the primary celebrity being more at ease in those situations. However, being in contact with the Beatles and their menagerie can also be a curse because those people often lose their own personal identity because they ONLY become defined based on their contact or association with the band. Relatives of any celebrity face the same dilemma. They are often unfairly compared or measured against the accomplishments of a brother or sister, or mother or father.
Mary Hopkin
Witness the trials and tribulations of Julian and Sean Lennon and James McCartney who are constantly compared with the accomplishments of their respective fathers. After acquriing this book I wonder if Carole Hopkin experienced the same pressures of being compared with Mary due to her initial success at Apple with the worldwide hit of Those Were The Days.
Carole is an accomplished artist and painter and even though I know she has deep respect for her sister, the recognition she may receive can often be presented in public news forums as being under the shadow of her sister’s musical accomplishments.
The cover of the book:
Beatles & Beyond
Some biographical information from Carole’s book:
The back cover of the book:
Beatles & Beyond
A George Harrison Friar Park Garden sketch by Carole M. Hopkin. These few page excerpts from the book are presented under fair use.
Carole’s sketch of the mansion at Friar Park done at the request of George’s brother. Carole mentions that Friar Park was a Convent at one time. There have been reports since, that dispute the Convent descriptor as a group of nuns did reside there in an educational function but it was not officially known as a convent. Scott Cardinal, an authority on Friar Park could set us straight on that matter, for sure!
Photographs apparently taken by Carole Hopkin that appear in her book of several prominent people in the Beatles story, great Beatles friend and confidante, Mal Evans, and the notorious individual often described as the villain who led to the breakup of the Beatles, Allen Klein. It is my personal belief that their breakup was due to far deeper problems than the easy way out of blaming a single individual. It may simply may have been due to the natural progression of their lives.
A beautiful sketch by Carole M Hopkin of the Casino at Monte Carlo that appears in her wonderful book:
Advice for Collectors
I highly recommend this book to you if you are fortunate enough to locate a copy. It took me close to 3 years before I could find someone that had a copy in their collection in the UK. You will see many wonderful sketches, read many wonderful stories, and you will get a distinct flavor for the time.
As a collector, I love this rare unique book and you will too!!!
Keep your eyes open on such sources such as eBay, Abe Books or other international book search services if you are trying to track down a copy to purchase for your collections!!!
Be healthy and be happy!
Buzz
Another Great Book at the Beatles Bookstore to Check Out
To find out more about Mary Hopkin and Apple Records, you need this book by Nigel Pearce
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
I have written before about the many books authored by Angie and Ruth McCartney but I just had to add this additional post with the latest book that I purchased from them that I recently received in the mail. I always have loved limericks but when you combine that unique category of poetry with the subject matter of Liverpool and the Beatles, that serves as a menu item that I could not resist!
A very nice inscription and signing from Angie and Ruth plus a unique limerick sent to me by them:Thank you!
Sorry to be so presumptuous, as I am certainly not claiming to be a limerick writer, but I do have to be honest to admit that as a teenager, I attempted a few, which I would have needed a good editor or censor back then to keep them as acceptable.
In the subsequent years, I learned to tone things down.
Ruth and Angie, with their Limerick book have inspired my desire to attempt just one more to illustrate my special fondness for their book published in 2023 by McCartney Multimedia, Inc.
I extendmy sincere apologies toboth Angie and Ruth for my attempt at this writing of a limerick:
Your Mother Should Know is the second book from Dr. McCartney, who published her first, My Long and Winding Road, in 2013. Now 90 years old, she shows no signs of slowing down. Her latest work is a collection of often hilarious and always heartfelt quips, memories, lifehacks, salty one-liners and witty observations. Along for the ride is McCartney’s ever-loyal and equally saucy daughter Ruth, who, as a young child greeted her future stepbrother Paul at their first meeting with “I know who you are! You’re on my cousin’s wallpaper.”
TWO BEAUTIFUL RUFUS STONE BEATLES BOOKSPLUS A SIGNED BOOK BY THE LATE PHOTOGRAPHER NORMAN PARKINSON
Beautiful book of photos taken in 1963 by Norman Parkinson: With The Beatles
A beautiful book of Beatles photos taken in 1963 by noted British photographer, Norman Parkinson. His son, Simon Parkinson signed all 350 copies for his late father. Simon had assisted his father in taking several photos on the day this photo session occurred. This is a wonderful book to add to your collection if you can locate a copy. To state the obvious, since there are only 350 copies of this book, it is on the expensive part of the ledger!
Details of the date of publication and the publisher are noted below.
To me, this is a clear example, of one of the prime jewels of collecting limited-edition Beatles books.
Norman Parkinson – With The Beatles
Hardcover – “Recycled Leather” Slipcase Edition with Clamshell box.
Limited Edition: 350 signed copies worldwide. Each copy is hand-signed by Simon Parkinson, Norman’s son, who took some of the shots with his father on that day, September 12, 1963.
Date: Published 2016
Page: 288 pages
Publisher: Rufus Stone Limited Editions Ltd
This edition of 350 copies signed by Norman Parkinson’s son Simon. I was able to secure copy #350 the last numbered and signed copy. Simon had accompanied his dad at the 1963 Abbey Road studio shoot and his dad also allowed him to take a few of the photographs appearing in the book!
Though he had passed away before his Beatles photography book was published, I was able to obtain his signature on his Lifework book which was published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson back in 1983 and signed by Mr. Parkinson then, seven years before he passed away.
Quite the unique signature that Mr. Norman Parkinson had:
The back cover of the Parkinson Lifework photography book:
About Norman Parkinson
Norman Parkinson was an English portrait and fashion photographer. Born April 21, 1913 – Died February 15, 1990
This is the mass market hardback trade edition of Norman Parkinson’s Beatles book of photos taken during the fall of 1963 at the President Hotel in Bloomsbury and at the Abbey Road studios while they were recording tracks for an album!
Also was able to recently acquire on eBay a magazine of Norman Parkinson Beatles photographs that was published in 1964 by Hutchinson and Company. Ironically, much of the text written for the magazine was by Lennon friend and journalist Maureen Cleave, who was to later write an article/interview with John for Datebook magazine that was to cause quite the controversy in the Bible Belt States of the USA in 1966.
A few page excerpts from the magazine the 1964 magazine that I recently acquired:
The credit page of the magazine:
THE BEATLES MONOCHROME BY JOE ALLEN
There were only 350 numbered copies of the black covered limited edition book which featured images of the Beatles 1964 tour taken by photographer Joe Allen and the book was edited by Mark Naboshek. The book was entitled “The Beatles Monochrome,” and was published in 2011 by Rufus Stone Publishers!
The details describing the The Beatles Monochrome books that I purchased are from the Rufus Stone website:
In 1964 the Beatles ….on their first tour of America, a two week visit that took them to Ed Sullivan show, playing live in Washington and New York before finishing in Florida with a second Ed Sullivan experience. Photographer Joe Allen followed them on the entire tour taking hundreds of black and white exclusive photos to document this historic first trip to the USA.
For the first time, all of Allen’s negative have been meticulously retouched and restored to better than their original glory and assembled in this huge, limited edition photo album . Beautifully printed and bound using the latest technologies MONOCHROME is destined to be a true collectors item.
The Technical Details 2500 Copies worldwide, numbered 308mmx 308mm square, 260+ pages. Quarterbound with white and black cover with embossed logo.
Proceed with cautionif you attempt to order a copy as I am not aware if it is available anymore as it may be completely sold out as of this writing!
The ordering information may no longer be available for this book as I believe it may be completely sold outbut I could be in error about thatspeculation!
And because we thought that both The Beatles collectors and Joe Allen’s work deserved even bigger exposure we thought to create the HARDKASES edition
The Technical Details 350 Copies worldwide, numbered 308mmx 308mm square, 260+ pages. Quarter-bound with white and black cover and embossed logo. Presented in a black slipcase with a debossed acrylic graphic. Thread sewn and bound in the UK. Certificate of authenticity and born on date. 4 x giclee colour photoprints, unique to this version Packaged in black, printed flight case with recessed foam compartment.
To order this book go to : http://www.rslimitededitions.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=54
There were only 350 numbered copies of the black covered limited edition book which featured images of the Beatles 1964 tour taken by photographer Joe Allen and the book was edited by Mark Naboshek. The book was entitled “The Beatles Monochrome,” and was published in 2011 by Rufus Stone Publishers!
What is not commonly known is that Rufus Stone also published a limited edition version of the book that was bound in white leatherand only 10 numbered copies were made of that version of the book.Below are my photos of copy #9 of this beautiful photography book which I was able to acquire.
One of only 10 copies in the world bound in white leather: My copy was #9, #9,#9!
Hope you enjoyed the description of these 2 special Beatles photography books from Rufus Stone Publications as well as the signed book by fabulous portait photographer, Norman Parkinson and the wonderful book by Joe Allen as well!
I will always treasure these books!
Be healthy and be Happy!
Buzz
DISCOVER MORE GREAT BOOKS AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE
In Your Mind – The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono (Softback)
Now in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives
Acclaimed by MOJO & Goldmine
Recommended by Olivia Harrison
Spotlighted on The Beatles Channel, Sirius XM Radio
The true story of the woman John Lennon loved. Includes the work and music they made together, the love story of John & Yoko, and her relationship with the Beatles.
Ono’s incredible story goes way beyond what most people know.
There are astounding details about Yoko’s life (thirty-three years before meeting Lennon, twelve years with him, and over forty years of creativity since his death).
The author has followed Ono’s career since the mid-1960s, assembling a vast media archive on the artist. Yoko’s own voice, along with Lennon’s and others (in cited, published interviews) tell her undeniably true and complete story, disproving many myths. Bocaro has spent valuable time with Ono, gaining incredible insight.
Here is the ultimate exploration of Yoko’s childhood, her relationship with Lennon, her art, films, music and activism for peace and women’s rights.
DEAR SIR OR MADAM: WILL YOU READ MY SCRAPBOOK?THEY TOOK A LONG TIME TO COMPILE-WILL YOU TAKE A LOOK???
My biggest regret in compiling all of my Beatles-related scrapbooks over the years is that the attribution of the various articles is irregular as to the original source of the article or who wrote it. I never knew that one day that the contents of my scrapbooks would appear on a Beatles blog page that I was involved with. I know the time frame of the articles as other articles in the scrapbook give me that time frame. That is why in the very first scrapbook post I ask those that do not receive attribution to an article they may have written, to write to me and specify the date and time and the location that the article originally appeared and I will acknowledge the original source and the date and author of the respective piece when the info is provided to me. Some of the articles have attribution. As a personal collectible my primary motivation when putting these scrapbooks together was to save the content and to save the information for me personally, as I got older. I never realized at the time that the scrapbooks would become print time capsules of information that I still love to read and others might too! Unfortunately virtually all print material is dying and becoming an extinct species. I asked my blog administrator, David Bedford, if I could present the 100 or so scrapbooks I personally compiled over the years before the digital era onslaught came about. He said it would be welcome and fine to do so. That reassurance and OK made me happy because I know sharing the pieces from so many sources would bring so many smiles to many people.
Badfinger was one of the Beatles biggest acts on Apple. Introduced to the Fabs as the Iveys by Beatles associate, Mal Evans, I loved collecting articles about Badfinger for the scrapbooks. I remembering hearing the Iveys first Apple 45, Maybe Tomorrow, being played on my local radio station in Hartford, Connecticut. I was stunned and surprised when they changed their name to Badfinger and recorded the McCartney penned song, Come and Get It for the Magic Christian film. Watching them evolve was exciting. However watching their demise was heartbreaking and so tragic…
Derek Taylor passes away in 1997 Born May 7th, 1932 – Died September 8th, 1997
Photographs of Apple executive, Ron Kass are not to commonplace. At one time he was married to Joan Collins. Other prominent Beatle people in this photo are Beatles press officer Derek Taylor, singer Mary Hopkin, Beatle videographer and friend, Tony Bramwell and Peter Asher who became an A and R specialist at Apple. He brought singer James Taylor to Apple!
When all of the Mike Douglas John Lennon/Yoko Ono shows were issued on VHS tapes. I have a copy of the hardback book shown here and I also have all of the shows on dvd which I purchased from a South American country, I believe it was Brazil. I can only assume that the dvds were not authorized by the Lennon estate but I do not know for sure if that is the case!
Todd Rundgren attempts to put John Lennon in his place…Stay tuned for John’s reply…
Paul McCartney is Hairy in disguise at the George Harrison Madison Square Garden show in Dec of 74.
Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney in disguise along with Linda’s brother, John Eastman. They were in the audience at Madison Square Garden in Dec. 1974 to watch George close out his 1974 Dark Horse tour. The other phot is Paul and Linda at the Sgt. Pepper musical.
Lennon’s reply to Todd Rundgren’s criticisms of him…
Ironically, Mike Douglas had invited Lennon/Ono to do a show in Hawaii, post Double Fantasy. John respectfully declined but mentioned he would be travelling there soon. Little did he know that his killer was to come from that state!
Hope you are enjoying viewing my personal scrapbooks!
Well, we are already up to the 4th Beatles scrapbook from my personal collection to present on the blog. Hope you are enjoying these collected print time capsules from the past.So many more to come…
With this post I am not going to offer commentary on the individual scrapbook posts as they all should be self-explanatory for your viewing enjoyment. Hope you are able to find some information that you have not been exposed to before. Unfortunately with newspaper clippings there is no 100% way to vouch for the veracity of the article claims being made. Healthy skepticism is always the best way to treat something that appears too good to be true!!!
Be healthy and be happy!
Hope you enjoyed taking a look at today’s scrapbook time capsule!
