Acquired this book recently from the estate of Ringo Starr’s late business manager, Hilary Gerrard. Hilary was born on January 17, 1933 in London, UK and he died on January 11, 2023 in Monaco, just prior to his 90th birthday!
This item was received by Hilary as a birthday gift for his 74th birthday from Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach!
About this Item
First edition, first printing, inscribed on the front free endpaper by Ringo Starr to his business manager, “Dear Hill, Have a great 74th, Happy Birthday, Love Ringo xxx”, additionally signed “Barbara xxxx”. Provenance: from the collection of Hilary Gerrard, Ringo Starr’s business manager from the early 1970s and a director of the Beatles Apple Corps Limited. Stone’s memoir discusses his experiences in the 1960s counterculture, including encounters with Ken Kesey, Neal Cassady, Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac from his time spent travelling with them.
The front cover of the book: it was a nice birthday gesture for Ringo to give his friend and legal advisor a book about the sixties which simultaneously was a decade hard to forget, and for some, a decade hard to remember!!!
Remembering the Sixties – by Robert Stone, published by Ecco in 2007
About this Item – the inscription page where both Ringo and Barbara wish Hilary a happy 74th birthday!
Though the following are not my items, they do indicate the respect the other Beatles had for Ringo’s legal representative and friend:
A Drawing Of Hilary Gerrard, by John Lennon on artnet
Created by John in 1974 – this indicates to me that Hilary was probably respected and appreciated by the other Beatles as well!
Bonhams also indicated that George Harrison liked and respected Hilary:
Bonhams: George Harrison A Collection of Greetings Cards to Hilary Gerrard, 8
This photo appears on the wonderful Sara Schmidt’s “Meet the Beatles for Real” website. I do not know who the photographer is for this photo, but it features Hilary, Ringo and Barbara! Obviously, three great friends!
Hope you enjoyed this – someone universally appreciated by all four Beatles.
Buzz
Good catch!!