Beatles Abbey Road photo up for auction

A rare photograph of The Beatles walking from left to right across Abbey Road is up for auction.

The photograph, taken on a day in August, 1969, was shot by Iain MacMillan. It is estimated to sell for between £7000 – £9000.

"That photo's been called an icon of the 1960s, I suppose it is. I think the reason it became so popular is its simplicity. It's a very simple, stylised shot. Also it's a shot people can relate to. It's a place where people can still walk," MacMillan (who died in 2006) once said about his photograph.

The idea for the photograph came from Paul McCartney who sketched the concept for MacMillan. MacMillan was given 10 minutes to shoot the photograph. He took seven shots. The image for sale is frame two. Only 25 prints were made.

Fans of The Beatles will be interested in the differences between this photo and the one used on the cover. Paul McCartney is wearing sandals in this one. He was barefoot on the Abbey Road cover.

After the release of the album theorists said that McCartney bare feet on the cover was a sign that the real Paul was dead and that the one on the cover was a body double. McCartney has always said it was just a hot day that day so he took his sandals off. This photo confirms Paul's story.

The auction will take place on May 22 by Bloomsbury Auctions http://www.bloomsburyauctions.com/detail/35919/138.0