LENNON JOHN: (1940-1980) English Singer & Songwriter, a member of The Beatles. Vintage bold black ink signature ('John Lennon') on a page removed from an autograph album. Annotated in blue ink to the upper right corner of the page in the hand of the collector and dated 'R[oyal] V[ariety] S[how] 63'. VG

Provenance: The present signature was obtained in person by Ernest Barber, the father of the vendor. Mr. Barber was employed by Associated Television (ATV) in their lighting department and worked on the production of the Royal Variety Show (Royal Command Performance) broadcast of 4th November 1963.

The Beatles were seventh on the bill for the Royal Command Performance held at the Prince of Wales theatre in London on 4th November 1963 in the presence of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret. Their last song was introduced by John Lennon, who poked fun at the audience as he announced 'For our next song, I'd like to ask for your help. For the people in the cheaper seats, clap your hands ... and the rest of you, if you'll just rattle your jewellery'.

]