A gesture of goodwill by a mystery member of The Beatles could earn a Nottinghamshire woman thousands of pounds as she prepares to part with treasured musical memories from the 1960s.
The Fab Four were so new on the music scene in 1963, Pamela Timson hadn’t worked out which Beatle was which when one popped out from a backstage door at the Granada Theatre in Mansfield, Notts, 57 years ago.
Pamela, then just 12, used to hang out there with friends and other young music fans in the hope of gaining autographs. When a musician or singer appeared, they’d all thrust their autograph books up in hope. Her book was among a few whisked away by the unknown Beatle. It was returned to her shortly afterwards with a full set of Beatles names – Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr.
Pamela in 1963. Her Beatles autographs.
Now Pamela’s autograph book, which boasts the signatures of other 1960s musical legends including Adam Faith, Roy Orbison and The Walker Brothers, is due to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on July 21 with a guide price of £3,000-£4,000.
Pamela, 69, a retired building society customer advisor and grandmother from Worksop, Notts, said: “I was standing outside the stage door at the Granada on March 26, 1963, with friends, hoping against hope that someone would pop outside for a cigarette break.
“It happened that night when one of The Beatles appeared. Sadly, I hadn’t worked out who was who at that time and it all happened so quickly. They’d only just released Please Please Me and were yet to have a number one hit. And though one of the Beatles took the book away to be signed, someone else brought it back.
“Thank you, whichever Beatle you were, for taking my book and getting it signed by the Fab Four. Only later as their success grew did I realise I was the owner of something very special.
“I’m now approaching my 70th birthday and as I look at my autograph book, I realise how lucky I was to be a teenager at that time.
“Buying records was a luxury. I tuned into Radio Luxembourg to listen to pop music in those days. Radio Caroline came along and eventually BBC got the message and Pick of the Pops could be enjoyed on Sundays with Alan Freeman.
“In 1962, at the age of 12, I discovered the Granada Theatre in Mansfield. It was a few miles from my home and regularly presented live music shows. I could now see my favourites in person for the princely sum of 6 shillings and 6 pence in old money.
“These were the days before large stadiums packed in thousands of fans to enjoy the sights and sounds of the famous. It was tough on the road in those early days for both up-and-coming and established artists. They played small venues in front of a few hundred fans. They’d go to a different town every night and weren’t earning megabucks.
Pamela’s autograph book included Rob Orbison and Adam Faith as well as The Beatles.
“I was lucky. I got to see many of my favourites and some of their autographs are in my book including Del Shannon, Brian Hyland and Dion DiMucci. Dion and The Belmonts were on the bill for Buddy Holly’s final concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, in 1959.
“I saw Little Richard in October 1962. I had tickets for the early evening show, thankfully, as when he came on stage for the late evening show fans stormed the stage and he never got to perform his set. I also met Adam Faith after his show at the Arcadia Theatre in Skegness in June 1965.
“The final autographs I collected were at Sheffield City Hall in April, 1966. A friend and I were allowed backstage after the show to meet The Walker Brothers and Roy Orbison. Roy was a gentleman, happy to speak to us.
“He was there with his wife, Claudette, who was tragically killed a few weeks later. His dark glasses must have concealed much sadness as he also lost his two sons in a house fire whilst away on tour. His voice and his music were unique and I still enjoy listening to Roy today.
“The autographs have been stuck in my safe for years. I’ve always wondered just how much they would make at auction. As I approach 70, I feel It’s time for someone else to enjoy them. I hope whoever buys my book of nostalgia and memories will treasure and appreciate it as I have done for the past 60 years.”
Pamela’s autograph book, lot 3365, will be sold on July 21 in Hansons Auctioneers’ July 16-21 Antiques and Collectors Auction. To find out more, email [email protected]. Catalogue: www.hansonslive.co.uk. Music Memorabilia invited for future sales. To arrange a free valuation, please email: [email protected]
