This lot will be auctioned on Friday, November 4th. The auction will begin at 3:00PM GMT and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Thursday, November 3rd; Saturday, November 5th; or Sunday, November 6th.

A musician's birthday book containing a set of rare autographs and inscriptions by all four members of The Beatles.

This book initially belonged to a music teacher and organist named Albert Angell, known to many as "Uncle Albert". When Angell retired in the late 1960s, he relocated to the Welsh town of Llandudno and moved into a property owned by the parents of artist Jonathan Hague. Hague was born in Llandudno and was a figurative painter who became close friends with John Lennon after the two met at the Liverpool School of Art.

The Beatles visited Llandudno while attending an exhibition of Hague's work at Bangor Art Gallery, which ran between April and May 1966. During the band's stay, Hauge told them about Angell. One afternoon, "Uncle Albert" opened his front door and was stunned to see all four members of The Beatles on his doorstep. The band spent the entire afternoon with him, during which time they signed this book. Coincidentally, Paul McCartney wrote the song "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" in 1971, based on his own uncle.

Bound in brown leather, the book comprises 351 dated pages, all with gilded edges. Each Beatle has signed the page of his birth date in blue ink; John Lennon (9 October, with the inscription "Beatles"); Paul McCartney (18 June, with the inscription "Another Beatle); George Harrison (25 February, with the inscription "All Presents To:- Nems Enterprises"); and Ringo Starr (7 July, with the inscription "Beatle").

Accompanying the book is a leaflet for Hague's exhibition and a small newspaper clipping titled "The Beatles Make Their Debut… As Art Patrons". The book exhibits signs of age, including discolouration on many pages. However, the autographs remain intact. The lot remains fragile, with many pages coming loose over time, and should be handled with care. Dimensions (book): 21.5 cm x 17 cm x 4.5 cm (8 1/2" x 6 1/2" x 1 3/4"); (programme): 21 cm x 13.75 cm (8 1/4" x 5 1/2")

Estimate: £15,000 - 25,000 M