French Beatles Collector Jacques Volcouve had amassed one of the largest collections of Les Beatles memorabilia in the world, until he decided a few years ago it was time to downsize and auction off many of the items he had acquired over the years. I have included a few YouTube links at the bottom of the page that feature stories about his collection and the auction. The purpose of this post will be to highlight some of the Beatles books and print material that Jacques has been involved with producing either as a writer, editor, or translator.
I have several of these titles in my own personal collection and Jacques was kind to send me photos of some of the work he has been involved with in Beatles book print media. All of the photographs of the books in question were sent to me by him.
Many of his book titles are available on Amazon in France or on eBay or on many book search services such as Abe Books!
Les Beatles. Co-written with Pierre Merle
1st of October 1987 Editions Solar
First study book on the complete works of the Beatles by Editions Solar to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the start of the Beatles’ career. Includes many unpublished pictures
The Abbey Road cover is the Solar publishing company:
Alternate cover of the book–the Sgt. Pepper’s cover is from the French Loisirs publishing company!
The name is France Loisirs.
McCartney. Co-written with Michel Dubreuil
1st May 1989 Editions Ergo Press
This book surveys the musical career of the Beatles’ bassist. Includes many photographs, discography and the ATV file. The ATV file is of course about Northern Songs and the saga of their copyright songs company, Sir Lew Grade, Michael Jackson etc…
McCartney Co-written with Michel Dubreuil 1st May 1989 Editions Ergo Press
A French title where Jacques served as a co-translator:
John Lennon, The Beatles and Me
Pete Best and Patrick Doncaster 1st July 1990
Co-translated with Patricia Bamford the French adaptation of « Beatle! » Pete Best’s memoirs (the Beatles’ first drummer).
Editions du Rocher.
Paul McCartney Words and Music
Co-written with Michel Dubreuil
1st October 1993
Editions Jean-Pierre Taillandier and Régie Productions
An illustrated biography of one of the greatest artists of the second half of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first.
Revolution-Les Beatles, is my personal favorite of Jacques Volcouve’s books. I was able to purchase the book at a 1988 Liverpool Beatles convention!
Revolution… The Beatles
Co-written with Pierre Merle
22 April 1988 Editions Fayard Co-authored with Pierre Merle, Revolution … The Beatles, published by Fayard, is the most comprehensive study book on the French market. Indispensable for appreciating and listening to the Beatles’ entire body of work. Many unpublished photos . Gorgeous book.
George Harrison
Anthology 1943-2001
February 28, 2002 Published by Hors Collection
This well-documented book presents all the tracks recorded by George Harrison with the Beatles, as a solo artist and with other groups, notably the Traveling Wilburys, where he played alongside Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynn, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison. It also looks at his label, Dark Horse, his production company, HandMade Films and more. The best way to pay tribute to this immense figure of pop music. It is still the only book written in French about George’ work
A book about Jacques’s fabulous Beatles collection:
Beatles Collector
Co-authored with Ersin Leibowich and Dominique Loriou
12th October 2012 Editions Jacob Duvernet
Beatles Collector the fabulous collection by Jacques Volcouve, written by Ersin Leibowich, Dominique Loriou and Jacques Volcouve. He tells the two France Info journalists his Beatles story and guides us through the gems that make up his legendary collection. Many unpublished rare photographs.
According to Jacques he supervised the French translation of this McCartney title:
Paul McCartney, des mots qui vont très bien ensemble
by Paul McCartney and Paul du Noyer I supervised the French translation of « Conversations With McCartney)
21st October 2015 Published by Baker Street Editions
Jacques Volcouve sent me an email detailing his creation of 2 French Beatles magazines:
It was after helping to make the French version of the BBC’s Beatles’ story a triumph, broadcast three times on Europe1 in France in 1972 and 1973, that my brother Gilles and a few friends decided to set up the Club des 4 de Liverpool. We had two magazines:
– The Fab Four Publication. More than a fanzine, our aim was to turn it into the French version of the legendary Beatles Book Monthly. Each issue was devoted to a particular theme: tours, an album, Apple corps, the real reasons for their split, Paul’s fake death and three off-format issues devoted to Ringo, George and John. The magazine cost a fortune to publish. Without financial support, subscriptions didn’t cover the costs, so we were forced to stop publishing in 1984.
– The Fab Four Flash seemed to us to be a kind of secondary publication that served to bring together news, replies to letters, song lyrics and so on…
George and Ringo each encouraged us with a nice letter. (See photos below)
George went one step further and wore a t-shirt bearing the title the Fab Four Fun Club at a Warner convention in January 1977 in Acapulco. The design was done for us by French artist Jean Solé.
This tumblr site has a photo of George wearing the t-shirt with the Jacques Fan Club design by French artist Jean Solé.
The following two letters from 1976 are printed with the kind permission of Jacques Volcouve.
George was a tough critic so it is very nice to see how complimentary George was about Jacques and the Fan magazines that he shared with him.
A wonderful letter by Ringo to Jacques complimenting him on his magazine:
(Jean Solé sticker design) du Club des 4 de Liverpool– The Fan Club sticker
A special 1973 edition of The Fab Four magazine:
The Fab Four issue #1 from May of 1974
A special issue about Apple of The Fab Four Publication Magazine from June of 1978
The March 1975 issue of The Fab Four features a discussion of Dark Horse Records
Jacques referred to Fab Four Flash as his secondary magazine containing the following contents:
– The Fab Four Flash seemed to us to be a kind of secondary publication that served to bring together news, replies to letters, and song lyrics. Here are the covers of two sample issues of Fab Four Flash:
MEETING A FEW OF THE BEATLES
The copyright on the photo of George and Jacques Volcouve shown below is owned by Jacques’ brother, Gilles Volcouve who took the photo of his brother with George Harrison.
This photo was taken by M. Denize (copyright) and features Jacques with Paul McCartney while Jacques points to a copy of one of his Beatles book in front of Paul. Jacques gave me his Ok to post this photo!
Jacques also informed me about this DVD of the Rutles. He told me that The DVD of the Rutles shown below is the French version which includes a booklet Jacques wrote and provided the illustrations for. There was no booklet in the UK version which had a different cover. Jacques also wrote the French DVD subtitles.
The Rutles, All You Need Is Cash !!!
A few YouTube programs about Jacques and his massive Beatles collection and his decision of a few years ago to downsize
Jacques Volcouve – REUTERS FRANCE BEATLES AUCTION PREVIEW – YouTube
JJDA – Jacques Volcouve et les Beatles – YouTube
Collection Beatles Jacques Volcouve RTBF Drout 20 mars 2017 – YouTube
#ELBC 23/11/2017 : Les Beatles français
Beatles collection of 15,000 pieces to go on sale in Paris
All things Must Pass! As we all get older, and our priorities change for multiple reasons such as health concerns and living expense issues when we retire, we often need to make difficult decisions as result.
In 2017, Jacques made the decision to greatly downsize his immense Beatles collection and share much of what made him very happy over the years with others. Here is the catalog of the thousands of items that Jacques put on the block:
The back cover of the catalog:
jacques volcouve – Le site de jacques volcouve l’Historien français des beatles
Copies of the auction catalog -are available directly through Jacques at the email address noted below. It costs 20€ plus postage. It is better to ask him for the postage costs which are dependent on the country in which you live.
Inquiries about the catalog can be directed to j.volcouve@gmail.com
Jacques has also indicated that he has copies remaining in mint condition of the 25th anniversary magazine shown below for those who may be interested in purchasing them from him. The white one was printed by EMI France as a promotional item, and therefore quite rare. While the black cover was the regular published edition available at newspaper sellers and newsstands. You will need to send an inquiry to Jacques by email to see which version of the issue is available through him…
Jacques has also begun/started a series of podcasts with French journalist, Philippe Gault, called Beatles’Secrets, and it is available on these platforms:
- Spotify. …
- Deezer. …
- Apple Music. …
- YouTube Music. …
The first episode was devoted to “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and the second one is about “Yesterday it will be
online, January 2nd, 2025
Here is the link to hear their podcast:
https://smartlink.ausha.co/beatles-secrets
This is the podcast logo:
Voici les liens directs pour écouter le podcast Beatles’ Secrets avec Philippe Gault et Jacques Volcouve, où ils décryptent chaque mois une chanson mythique des Fab Four : le huitième épisode est consacré à Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Si vous aimez, parlez-en autour de vous et partagez.
Merci et bonne écoute.
Here are a few links to listen to the Beatles’ Secrets podcast with Philippe Gault and Jacques Volcouve, where they analyze a legendary song by the Fab Four every month: the eighth episode is dedicated to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
If you like it, spread the word and share it.
Thank you and enjoy listening.
Jacques Volcouve
https://podcast.ausha.co/beatles-secrets/beatles-secrets-8-sgt-pepper-s-lonely-hearts-club-band
https://www.audible.fr/podcast/Beatles-Secrets-8-Sgt-Peppers-Lonely-Hearts-Club-Band/B0FGJ148BX
https://www.radio.fr/podcast/beatles-secrets
https://www.deezer.com/fr/show/1001444421
Mark and Paul from the podcast “Fixing A Hole” had the honor of inviting me as their guest this week. Here’s the link to listen to our conversation, which is in English. Enjoy!
Mark et Paul du Podcast « Fixing A Hole » m’ont fait l’honneur d’être leur invité cette semaine Voici le lien pour écouter cette conversation qui se déroule en Anglais ! Bonne écoute
https://feeds.transistor.fm/fixing-a-hole-the-beatles-podcast-you-didnt-know-you-needed
Thank you, Jacques, for sharing some of your Beatles memories and artifacts with us all.
Buzz
Biography
Biographical books about The Beatles or those associated with them
