Ticket from The Beatles Norwich gig which is expected to fetch up to £2,000 at auction

It cost only seven shillings and sixpence (about 38p) to see The Beatles perform live in Norwich in 1963, but now nearly half a century later a rare ticket from that historic show is expected to sell for potentially thousands of pounds at auction.

Beatles at the Grosvenor in 1963 staff pic een 10/2/02

The ticket – for the Beatles’ gig at the Grosvenor in Prince of Wales Road, now home to KFC, on Friday, May 17, 1963 – is particularly valuable because it is autographed by John Lennon and Ringo Starr.

Now it is set to fetch between £1,500 and £2,000 at Bonhams in London on July 3, but it would be worth twice as much if it had also been signed by Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

If the ticket does sell for £2,000, it will be eight times the £250 The Beatles received for playing in Norwich.

That year, 1963, when The Beatles came to Norwich, was a momentous year for the so-called Fab Four.

The group achieved their major breakthrough and became world-famous superstars with their first three number one hit records From Me To You, She Loves You and I Want To Hold Your Hand.

At their Norwich gig The Beatles were supported by local group Ricky Lee and The Hucklebucks,whose name also appears on the ticket coming up for sale.

The Beatles travelled to Norwich from London, where the day before they starred in the BBC television show Pops And Lenny, introduced by ventriloquist Terry Hall and his glove-puppet, Lenny the Lion.

Did you see The Beatles when they appeared in Norwich? Call Derek James on 01603 772420 or email derek.james@arcahnt.co.uk

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