11.07.2010

THE BEATLES GO PSYCHEDELIC WITH RICHARD AVEDON


The Beatles PopArt.com

Master fashion and portrait photographer Richard Avedon created the portraits of the Beatles in 1967. The individual portraits were done in a style that reflected the psychedelic spirit of the time and immediately proclaimed works of genius.

In 1967 The Beatles company "Nems" contracted Richard Avedon to create the design and then gave the distribution rights to different outlets in different countries.

The Publications that would handle the distribution were: in the USA "LOOK" magazine where you could order your set with a pullout tab, and send away for your set to come in the mail for $1.50.
In England it was the Daily Express Newspaper that handled distribution. In Europe it was "Stern" magazine that distributed the posters and they were sold at Newstands in special presentation boxes like the one pictured below. In has recently come to my attention that there was a Japanese printing as well.


Ringo Starr

George Harrison

All 4 printings were simultaneous in 1967 and there were 4 different printers, one from each country that printed the posters for their respective Publication. The Stern and Daily Express posters were similar in size measuring approx 19" x 27" while the Look version was slightly bigger at 22" x 31".

The only printing that will go up in value, is the 1st printing, anything else is not worth more than the decorative face value. Many people ask how many were printed and we have not yet discovered a figure, but one has to assume with the popularity of the Beatles at the height of their fame in 1967, and the add campaign with John Lennon on the cover of 'Look" magazine, they must have printed 10's of thousands. This is not as important as the question of, "how many have survived".



People put them up on the walls with scotch tape and many just got thrown away. Who would have thought they would become an important art statement and represented in "Pop Art" museum shows and "1960's" museum shows and "Rock and Roll" museum shows.


Richard Avedon (1923-2004), an American photographer is credited with raising fashion photography to an art form. He also became one of the most acclaimed portrait photographers of the 1900's. In 1967, he created the famous Beatles posters which were printed and sold in Germany.

 Paul McCartney

John Lennon

The set includes separate posters of each Beatle, with a bonus poster in black and white of the "Fab 4." The individual posters measure 19" x 27" and the group poster measures 41" x 15. All posters are linen backed and in excellent condition. This set is a MUST for Beatles lovers. Free shipping within the U.S.

Read More on RK:

The Fool: Psychedelic Design Collective
Fashion Photography 1960's London
Photographer Heather Harris Explains Psychedelic Technique
Pattie Boyd Rocked the 60's

3 comments:

Steve Noxon said...

"Had them hanging on my wall."

Steve Noxon said...

I moved around a lot. Lost a lot of stuff

Anonymous said...

HI There i got a first edition of the individual posters but from a Spanish magazine named " miss "
all captions in spanish but in english it said limited first edition printed in englad by waterlow and sons ltd

and lots of text with copyright stuff nems and maximus enterprises


can you tell me if its worth something ?

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