Iconic THE BEATLES Type 1 Original Photo 1963 Vintage JOHN LENNON Paul McCartney

This is a Type 1, one of a kind original "rookie" photo of the Beatles on December 3rd, 1963, just a few months before the British Invasion crashed into America. Marked with the original purple ink press stamp of The Portsmouth News, as verified by the Ghetty News Archive. This is the only example of this shot per the archive of this event, to which only two photographers were invited.

McCarthy and Hrrison's illness resulted in only 4 extant photos of this event, of which this is one. The Beatles' concert at the Guildhall, Portsmouth was postponed after Paul McCartney fell victim to gastric flu, and was rescheduled for 3 December 1963. Newspaper report on Paul McCartney and George Harrison's flu, 12 November 1963The other Beatles gave an interview to Jeremy James for the Southern Television show Day By Day (video). It took place in the Guildhall's dressing room, and was broadcast from 6.05pm that evening.

They also recorded an interview at their Southsea hotel, the Royal Beach (photo), for the BBC's South Today. It was conducted by reporter John Johnston and broadcast at 6.10pm. Preserved in both soft and hard sleeve protective mylar.

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