The leading lights of British and American rock music came together one night in Los Angeles in 1965. The Beatles, Liverpool’s quartet of innovative rockers, came to the States to meet the one and only Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll. The Beatles and Presley are inarguably the two most influential musical acts of the 20th century, each imparting their own definitive style and unique sound on the global musical landscape. The Beatles were in awe of Presley at their meeting, as his rock and roll revolution years prior paved the way for not just the Beatles’ music, but also the global phenomenon of Beatlemania. Without Elvis, and his outsized influence on pop culture, the Beatles would not have been able to become the “The Beatles”.

It was at Elvis’ house on Perugia Way that the four Beatles autographed the offered 6.5 x 8.5-inch black and white photograph. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr have all signed this photograph in blue ballpoint pen. The inscription, “To Marty / Best Wishes from the Beatles”, was written in the hand of Ringo Starr. “Marty” is Marty Lacker, a member of the Memphis Mafia and one of Elvis’ closest confidantes and friends. In 1967, Lacker was co-best man at Elvis’ marriage to the future Priscilla Presley. This photograph shows the four Beatles in matching dark suits, with Ringo seated in front of a standing Paul, George, and John. Each man has a cup and saucer, with Ringo wearing a black turtleneck and the remaining three combining crisp white shirts and black ties. “THE BEATLES” is printed in black letters on the bottom border of this publicity photo. This photograph is accompanied by a signed Letter of Provenance from Marty Lacker, who details the meeting of the Beatles and Elvis’ reaction to the young men from Liverpool. Additionally, a LOA from REAL and a LOA from JSA (Z26455) accompany this incredible signed photograph.

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