Below is a photo of the Beatles along with Yoko Ono that was used on the picture sleeve of “The Ballad of John and Yoko”. The song only featured two Beatles playing on the track-John and Paul and it mentions Peter Brown.
The Ballad of John and Yoko
Below is an autograph and a message from Peter Brown, the Apple executive who phoned John to tell him that he and Yoko could get married in Gibraltar. The signature below features the line of Brown’s that John used in the “Ballad of John and Yoko”. (You can make it OK)
Peter Brown and author Steven Gaines have a new print surprise in store for us in the near future (2024) This new book is mentioned at the end of this post.
Peter Brown Autographed Note
The Love You Make
The first book written by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines detailing the story of the Beatles. The book was a worldwide commercial success.
The Love You Make
As a follow-up to their first book, Gaines and Brown are coming out with a new book dealing with many of the interviews they conducted to compile “The Love You Make.”
Looking forward to reading the full interviews of many of the characters that will tell their story in the following title. The new title promises much new information that has not previously been published.
The book will be published by St. Martin’s Press on April 9, 2024
A rare hardcover book about Nicky Hopkins, one of rock’s greatest session musicians who has backed the Beatles, the Stones, John Lennon, and George Harrison, as solo artists, and many others of prominence. It is very difficult to find this book in the hardcover format.
Publisher : Desert Hearts (4 May 2011)
Imagine
Who can forget Nicky’s superb keyboard work on the “Imagine” LP and his stellar contribution to the Beatles song “Revolution.” Nicky’s many contributions to the Rolling Stones catalog will also be fondly remembered.
Nicky’s life was cut short at age 50 due to intestinal problems.
Rare Autograph of Nicky Hopkins
A rare autograph (above) of Nicky Hopkins obtained on eBay many years ago. Hopkins seemed to share fellow session man Jim Keltner’s aversion to signing many autographs during the course of their careers.
Buzz
Some Great Autobiographies & Biographies at The Beatles Bookstore
Here are balance of the remaining Beatles-related Genesis Publications titles. Hope you have enjoyed this mini-travelogue dealing with the superb Beatle-related books produced by Genesis Publications Ltd over the years!
The Concert for George (above) – a beautiful book of a beautiful concert.
Fifty Years Adrift
A fabulous book authored by Beatles friend and publicist, Derek Taylor. Copies of this book were also signed by Beatle George Harrison
Derek Taylor – Fifty Years Adrift
I Me Mine
The book that started it all for collectors. I distinctly remember Strawberry Fields Forever fanzine author, Joe Pope offering this title for sale in the 70’s to his fanzine subscribers.
I Me Mine
I Me Mine – 2
Genesis was to issue 2 versions of I Me Mine. The earlier version was signed by George. The later posthumous edition was to feature additional content as an attraction to potential buyers.
I Me Mine 2
It Was Twenty Years Ago Today
It Was Twenty Years Ago Today
George Harrison – Live In Japan
Beautiful photos of the limited tour of Japan by George Harrison, along with his friend, Eric Clapton and his band!
Live In Japan
Liverpool Days
Astrid and Max Scheler’s photos of Liverpool in the early sixties!
Liverpool Days
McCartney: Yesterday and Today
The Ray Coleman Genesis book about Paul McCartney-Ray was a good friend of the Beatles and was an excellent journalist.
McCartney: Yesterday and Today
Postcards from The Boys
The excellent book of Ringo’s featuring postcards that were sent to him by John , Paul and George, over the years!
Postcards from The Boys
Revolver 50: Birth of an Icon
Klaus Voormann’s superb book about the creation of Revolver and celebrating it’s 50th anniversary.
Revolver 50: Birth of an Icon
Sometime in New York City
Yoko Ono and Bob Gruen collaborate on a book discussing John’s time in New York City.
Sometime in New York City
Songs by George Harrison Volume One
Volume One of the Songs of George Harrison which are richly illustrated by artist Keith West.
Songs by George Harrison Volume One
Songs by George Harrison Volume Two
Volume Two of the George Harrison, Keith West collaboration.
Songs by George Harrison Volume Two
Summer of Love
The Summer of Love, a Genesis title by the late Beatles producer, George Martin.
Summer of Love
Playback by George Martin
Another wonderful title about George Martin published by Genesis PLAYBACK by George Martin.
Playback George Martin
Photograph – Ringo
Photograph – Ringo
Came The Lightening – Olivia Harrison
The most recent Genesis title is by George Harrison’s wife, Olivia, and features twenty poems that she wrote about her late husband. The book also features many rare photos. The book is entitled “Came the Lightning.” There is a signed edition and an unsigned one. There is also a trade edition of this book. In addition, there is a special deluxe edition featuring several special limited-edition prints as well as a bookmark that was made from a fallen oak tree at Friar Park.
Came The Lightening
I hope you have enjoyed this two-part look at some of the best of the Genesis Limited Edition books, which are a treasure-trove of books and information.
Don’t forget to share this post and encourage your friends to subscribe so that they don’t miss out!
Special limited edition book titles hold a particular fascination with me as a collector. There is a pride in being able to obtain a release that only a few other people may have access to in their personal collections. However, personally, there is also a feeling of guilt when you realize that others would love to be able to own the particular title yet may not have the financial resources to be able to purchase a copy. The trouble with many of these limited edition books is that they sell out quickly and the prices only increase in collecting circles as time passes by. That is why I use the behavior pattern of acting quickly when I see a limited book edition being issued, because even if it presents a financial strain at that time, it would be far worse later if I did not act and wanted to purchase the book once it was sold out!
The company that popularized the signed limited edition books was Genesis Publications. The late Brian Roylance made an agreement with Beatles George Harrison to publish his book “I Me Mine” in the 70’s and then Beatles-related limited edition books became in vogue. Genesis Publications over the years has issued over 30 books with a Beatles-related connection.
I make an honest attempt to add all Beatles-related Genesis titles to my book collection when I can. Hope you will enjoy this post of the Genesis titles that have a direct Beatles connection. This post will be presented in 2 parts. Also, please be advised that the books are not presented in the order they were chronologically released!
Mike McCartney’s Genesis book (above) features many previously unseen photos, including a very rare Quarrymen color photo.
Raga Mala-the Autobiography of Sitar Master, Ravi Shankar!
Raga Mala by Ravi Shankar
An excellent Beatles-related photography book by Michael Ward
A Day In The Life by Michael Ward
Eric Idle, a member of Monty Python and a close friend of George Harrison-memoirs
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Eric Idle
One of two Ringo Genesis photo books
Another Day in the Life – Ringo Starr
Wonderful stories and photos of the Beatles in Germany featuring the signatures of Tony Sheridan and noted German photographer, Günter Zint.
Beatles In Germany – Tony Sheridan, Gunter Zint
One of my favorite Genesis titles features the photography of Michael Cooper, who took the cover photos of the Beatles “Sgt. Pepper” album and the Stones “Satanic Majesties Request” LP
Blinds and Shutters by Michael Cooper
Jurgen Vollmer, who has been credited for the original Beatles haircut has this wonderful Genesis title of his excellent photos
From Hamburg to Hollywood – Jurgen Vollmer
A fantastic photo book from Astrid Kirchherr and Max Scheler
Golden Dreams – Astrid Kirchherr, Max Scheler
Another wonderful book about the Beatles in Germany from 2 of the Beatles’ close friends, Astrid Kirchherr and Klaus Voormann. Astrid was of course to become the love interest of Stu Sutcliffe, before he so tragically passed away
Hamburg Days – Astrid Kirchherr, Klaus Voormann
Excellent photos of the Beatles in Japan from 1966
Hello Goodbye, Shimpei Asai
An excellent compilation of the works of artist, Yoko Ono
Infinite Universe At Dawn – Yoko Ono
Fabulous photos of the late Curt Gunther
Mania Days, The Beatles 1964 US Tour – Curt Gunther
Another excellent Beatles photography book by Michael Peto
Now These Days Are Gone – Michael Peto
An excellent compilation of the work of artist, Stu Sutcliffe compiled by Stu’s sister, Pauline, and Kay Williams
Stuart – Pauline Sutcliffe, Kay Williams
Many wonderful photos of the super band organized by George Harrison. Book signed by Wilbury, Jeff Lynne!
The Traveling Wilburys
Don’t forget to ask your friends to subscribe and Part 2 will be coming soon!
The International Dark Horse and Ring O’Records Discography
A is for Apple
In a previous post on this blog I highlighted the superb A is for Apple, Apcor Publishing, tremendous book series about the Beatles company, Apple. This book series is unquestionably one of the best Beatles-related book series on the planet. One of the owners and administrators of Apcor, is the distinguished author and musician, Ed Dieckmann.
Here are a few samples of his rare now out-of-print books that he has published. I was fortunate to be able to find all of these excellent books in Beatles collecting circles and I treasure them dearly. Ed is a great guy and he strives to unearth those rare previously unknown bits of information that Beatles fans yearn for…..
Dark Horse Records
The first book was a collaborative effort about Dark Horse Records that was compiled by noted collector Franck Leenheer and Ed Dieckmann. The other two books are a fabulous discography of Beatles-related releases in Holland! Top Notch!!!
Press preview of the Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition at Olympia. Left to right, Margaret Stewart (24) and Jean Evans (17) admiring Beatles wallpaper after they had bought a Beatles hairspray at the exhibition. 2nd March 1964.
Beatles Wallpaper
Amid the worldwide phenomenon known as Beatlemania, Beatles wallpaper came to the U.S. and Canada via Wall Paper Manufacturers Ltd of Manchester. They produced the rolls and shipped them across the Atlantic to awaiting bare-walled fans with adhesive glue in hand! The wallpaper was not manufactured in either North American country but distributed throughout the states and provinces through paint, department, and other stores.
Beatles Wallpaper on a Fan’s Wall
Ed Sullivan
On February 21, 1964, just two days before the Beatles made a third appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show (pre-taped), 24,000 rolls of Beatles wallpaper landed at North American airports and headed for waiting retail shelves.
England
These wallpaper rolls from England were labeled ‘Beat770’ and had a ‘sizing strip’ attached. You would remove this strip – about 1″-2″ wide with perforated color bars and writing – when installing. The wallpaper pattern was four-color photos with surrounding facsimile signatures that repeated every 21″.
Canada
Later some rolls were manufactured in Canada. These were 20.5″ (52.07cm) wide and labeled ‘Made in Canada 33300’ with no sizing strip.
Early sales trended towards the wallpaper quickly becoming a must-have item for teenage girls across the country, who would plaster their walls with images of their favorite bands.
Beatles Wallpaper had a modest store run but fell short of expected sales goals. Retailers started realizing that the buying fans would purchase one roll, cut it in strips, and disseminate it among their friends as wall hangings or decorations for their record players and other items. The market for someone to purchase enough to decorate an entire room was less lucrative than they thought.
Beatles’ Popularity Slipping
Because of this, articles were showing up in newspapers as early as April 1964, announcing that, in their opinion, the Beatles’ popularity was ‘slipping’ because shops had to reduce the price of the wallpaper to move their inventory because it wasn’t “going as well as expected.”
Get Terry’s fantastic book:
NEMS and the Business of Selling Beatles Merchandise in the U.S. 1964-1966 (2ND EDITION)
The book covers the approximately 150 licensed items that dotted store shelves and helped fuel the band-crazed fan during the time right after the band landed in America and performed on The Ed Sullivan Show. Toys, games, dolls, jewelry, clothing, wigs, and more!
