I remember writing to the publisher (WYMER) of sensationalist journalist DON SHORT several years ago inquiring about purchasing a signed copy of his book and I was successful in that venture as you can see in the pictures shown below. I am including photos of both the book and the signature on this post. Short was often given access to the Beatles through Brian Epstein and John Lennon often referred to him in many interviews that he gave over the years. Short wrote numerous articles about the Beatles including one very revealing story about John Lennon and his dad Freddie, when Short attempted to reconcile the two men. Mr. Short passed away in May of 2023.
A short biography (no pun intended) appearing in Wikipedia
The signature of the late Don Short: According to Mr. Short’s note to me from 2020, I was apparently the first purchaser of the book in the United States.
Don Short’s Autograph in his book
The back cover of his book:
Back of Don Short’s Book
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I would like to take this opportunity to highlight many of the exciting, informative, and educational literary works of our blog administrator, David Bedford. I first met David at a Fest for Beatles Fans several years ago and was instantly impressed with his pleasant personality. It was a great way to meet David, sharing the atmosphere of a great Beatles-related gathering.
With my large Beatles book collection, very few authors can truly impress me either with new information or a different perspective about the Beatles story. David has fulfilled both of those tasks for me. Here is a brief summary of some of his excellent books and work….David’s Beatles knowledge is often understated as he helps to expand the horizons of the Beatles knowledge-base for all of us to enjoy and relish.
All of the Beatles history is certainly not available to all of us, but David has made a significant contribution in uncovering a lot of information about our favorite band not previously known! For that accomplishment, we should all be very grateful!!!
Liddypool
David’s Liddypool book helps us all to understand why the force that rocked the world had to come from Liverpool. From the unique Scouse sense of humor to the ability of the Liverpudlians to take American music and present it back to America and the rest of the world in a unique and fascinating form/way.
Liddypool by David Bedford
Finding The Fourth Beatle
One of my favorite Bedford/ Popper books where virtually all of the people who at one time played drums for the Beatles are explored: Finding the Fourth Beatle. Guaranteed that you probably will learn quite a few things that you never knew before about the multiple individuals who played drums for the band. I found this book to be extremely informative and details not previously known to the public are finally exposed in this great work!
Finding the Fourth Beatle
The Country of Liverpool: Nashville of The North
Another interesting book by David explores the influence of country music on Liverpool and how the Liverpool groups were able to synergistically mold country and pop music. The book also deals with the origins of skiffle and the Country roots of The Beatles. An excellent book by David!
The Country of Liverpool
The Beatles Fab Four Cities
David is one of the authors of this virtual travelogue of Beatles sites throughout 4 major world cities of Liverpool, Hamburg, London, and New York! The other authors of this wonderful book – The Beatles Fab Four Cities – are Susan Ryan and Richard Porter. Their expertise in the Beatles-related sites in the 4 cities mentioned is second to none!
The Beatles Fab Four Cities
The Fab One Hundred and Four: The Evolution of The Beatles
This book happens to be one of my favorites not only for the photographs of rare and some unknown Beatles-related personalities but of the numerous previously unknown stories that are revealed within this book. Can’t miss with this title: The Fab One Hundred and Four: The Evolution of The Beatles
The Fab One Hundred and Four
Inspector Rocke
David has even toyed with murder fiction that is set in Liverpool, of course! Inspector Rocke. An excellent read and fiction of this type is very difficult to write. Kudos to you David!
Inspector Rocke
Bill Zygmant: Where Did You Get That Shirt?
David Bedford and Paul Skellett used their respective talents and helped to organize this fabulous limited edition book by noted photographer, Bill Zygmant. Bill took some of the last photos of John and Yoko before they moved permanently to the United States. The fabulous photos of the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix contained within this book are other major highlights.
Bill Zygmant
Looking for Lennon
One other David Bedford item I would like to mention is the documentary that David acted as the historian on and that is the fabulous DVD of “Looking for Lennon.”
I loved this examination of the early days about the founder of the world’s greatest pop band!
Additional details of the people that were involved with the creation of this project are provided at this link
Most of the book titles mentioned above are available at The Beatles bookstore with the link at the top of this page, or by clicking on the links and covers of the books.
After over three years of research, Terry Crain’s newest book is out in digital form. This book, titled “Copyrighting The Beatles,” chronicles over 900 Beatles and Beatles-related copyrights from 1963 to 1966.
Over 300 Beatles Copyrights?
In the annuals of the Library of Congress, there are Beatles and Beatles-related copyrights for musical screenplays, lectures, spoken word writings, dolls, Beatles records, newspaper artwork, paintings, drawings, articles, toys, posters, albums, sculptures, jewelry, portraits, magazines, record cases, sheet music, novelty records, television scripts, newspaper cartoons, impromptu skits, books, photographs, documentary scripts, satire animations, cover records in French, Dutch, Spanish, and German, and more! This reference publication details the copyrights in chronological order, making it easy to follow the growth of this wild and wacky genre.
Copyrighting the Beatles
Novelty Records
Over 300 of these copyrights are Beatles novelty records in the genres of American folk, British folk, foxtrot, jive, samba, bluegrass, doo-wop, country, big band, blues, jazz, orchestral, spoken-word, surf, ska, and polka!
Designer, Beatles author, and collector Andrew Croft created the cover graphic, Tom Frangione wrote the Foreword, and Cha Chi Loprete wrote the Introduction.
Crain tells people “I’m unsure if I wrote a book, reference guide, or encyclopedia!”
Get Terry’s Other Great Book on NEMS and Memorabilia
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!
The Magical Mystery Tour can still divide fans. Earlier in 1967, much is known about the ornate Beatles album cover of Sgt Pepper which was put together and organized by noted designer and artist, Peter Blake with his associate on the LP – Jann Haworth.
However, it seems not as much is known in Beatles collecting circles about the designer to one of the follow-up releases that appeared after the death of Brian Epstein when Paul McCartney began to step into Brian’s role to keep the Beatles as a working and thriving entity and to organize the group’s recording activities.
The follow-up to the Sgt. Pepper design was the Magical Mystery Tour cover. The following photo features both the signatures of one of the engineers on some of the recordings, Ken Brown, and the designer of the album cover, John Van Hamersveld. I have seen only a few Beatles items signed by John Van Hamersveld over many years of collecting. I pounced on this signed album cover on eBay as a result!
John Van Hamersveld (born September 1, 1941, Baltimore, Maryland) is an American graphic artist and illustrator who designed record jackets for pop and psychedelic bands from the 1960s onward. He designed the covers of The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour and the Rolling Stones. Exile on Main Street. His first major assignment, in 1963, was designing the poster for the surf film The Endless Summer.
Magical Mystery Tour cover
Possibly Van Hamersveld’s most famous design
The Endless Summer (John Van Hamersveld illustration)
John Van Hamersveld cover
Did you like Magical Mystery Tour? What do you think? Let me know below.
Periodically, we highlight the written works of special Beatles book authors who have distinguished themselves with their work about the band – this time, Ken McNab. Today, I would like to highlight the work of three special Beatles books by noted author, Ken McNab. I have never been disappointed by a Ken McNab Beatles book. Hope you enjoy this blog post!
SPOTLIGHT ON A BEATLES BOOK AUTHOR– KEN MCNAB
#1
The Beatles in Scotland Hardcover – November 10, 2008
by Ken McNab (Author)
An excellent book concerning the Beatles appearances in Scotland over the years and the importance of the country specifically as it relates to a couple of the Fab4. A highly recommended book if you do not have this one in your collection.
The Beatles in Scotland
A very detailed book detailing the disintegration and eventual dissolution of the band. Wonderfully written and the detail is extraordinary and captivating!
And in the End: The Last Days of The Beatles Hardcover – August 18, 2020
by Ken McNab (Author)
And In The End – The Last Days of The Beatles
#3
This is Ken’s latest work. It details the important transitions that occurred in 1963 that catapulted the Beatles to the promised land. Ken details the Beatles rare 1963 one hour performance at the Stowe boys school in this book. I am hoping that the surviving reel to reel tape, using the Peter Jackson technology, will be able to be cleaned up sonically and eventually released to the public!
Shake it Up, Baby: The Rise of Beatlemania and the Mayhem of 1963 Hardcover – 7 Sept. 2023
by Ken McNab (Author)
It will be a pleasure for all of you to read Ken’s account of the importance of 1963 in their road to immortality!
Shake it Up Baby
All of Ken’s titles are available to purchase on either Amazon US or Amazon UK!
Buzz
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AUTHORS WE HAVE AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE
Richard Hamilton, with his back to the camera, working on the poster to be included with the release of the 1968 double Beatles LP. Much of the material on the album was written in India. The Beatles were to record the demos for this LP at George Harrison’s home in the English county of Esher! The demos were recorded at the bungalow known as Kinfauns!
Richard Hamilton with Paul McCartney
A book I acquired that details some of Mr. Hamilton’s work. Issued in Germany by Kestner-Gesellschaft in Hanover. The book is entitled:
Exteriors Interiors Objects People – It appears to have been published in 1990 or 1991
Richard Hamilton’s Book
Richard Hamilton’s signature which came with my purchase of this book on Ebay. It is interesting to see the influence Mr. Hamilton may have had in the decisions to react to the previously ornate Sgt. Pepper cover with the stark “White Album” cover. I remember purchasing my first copy of the “The White Album” at Caldor’s Department Store. It was in a display case also selling “Beggar’s Banquet” by the Rolling Stones. Despite being more expensive as a double LP, I quickly shelled out the funds for the double album and retreated back to my home to soak in all the sonic delights! As subscribers of this blog are well aware, I also try to collect the signatures of the people that made significant contributions either to the Beatles music or the artwork associated with their LP’s. Having Mr. Hamilton’s signature is special to me!
Richard Hamilton’s Signature
Hamilton’s Back Cover to his German book:
Rear Cover of Hamilton’s Book
A couple of interesting internet sites with articles about the “White Album.”
A SAMPLE OF THE WHITE ALBUM FROM AMAZON-the only recognizable details being the embossed title of the LP and the numbering sequence which was quite the successful marketing technique as over the years, earlier sequenced stamped numbered LP’s are considered to be more valuable and command higher prices in collecting circles!
The White Album – The Beatles
A personalized copy of the White Album signed to me by engineer/producer, Chris Thomas. The signing was arranged and acquired for me through Beatles expert Philippe Colinge. Thomas ended up producing several tracks on the White album due to George Martin being away on a vacation. The vacation was probably due to the stress that was going on between the Beatles at the time. Chris Thomas also produced the Apple group, Badfinger.
Which is your favourite Album Cover by The Beatles?
Buzz
More Great Books on The Beatles at The Beatles Bookstore
