Beatles unseen photos up for auction

Unseen photos of musical icons The Beatles going on sale after languishing unnoticed in a family album for almost 50 years.

The collection consists of 20 black-and-white pictures which have never been published, rarely seen and portray a rare behind-the-scenes view of the heroes just prior to becoming a global phenomenon reports Sky News.

Taken whilst filming 'A Hard Day's Night' in 1964 at London's Scala Theatre, they are said to be attracting much interest.

The photos show the band with their instruments but also between takes in off-guarded moments, with one picture of Ringo Starr resting on bricks to boost his height for the cameras.

'Closed set' were strictly banned to stop leaks of The Beatles' new material, but Peter Allchorne, the then props manager at Pinewood Studios used his Kodak Retinette unhindered during that period. The photos remained in his photo album until now.

His 87-year-old's daughter, Jacqueline Griffin, said while the world was embracing Beatlemania her father thought they were just another band he got to know through his job.

"He was just that type of person who always had a camera round his neck," she said.

"It was not unusual for him to be on set and taking pictures. He wanted to take pictures of one of the crew, a mate Alfie, and they were there, it was when The Beatles were on stage.

"He got to know them quite well but he was just not that interested. I think they just larked about and had a good time. He was not particularly star-struck.

"They were just four lads in a band, it didn't really hit him.

"They are unpublished and never seen. They've been in a family album since 1964.

"He's never held any value on them because he was not into The Beatles, he was just working on the films. He doesn't have any sentimental attachment. They're just dad's pictures.

"He didn't like the music, he was into jazz."

A menu card, signed by John, Paul, George and Ringo from the band's trip aboard the BOAC Cunard, London to New York flight will also go under the hammer at the sale.

The Liverpool lads were given a choice including the finest wines from the vineyards of Bordeaux, champagne and clear turtle soup amontillado, were en route to the Bahamas, along with Mr Allchorne for the filming of Help! in February, 1965.

A second unsigned menu card from the return leg of the journey features a mis-spelling of "The Beattles" - with the extra "t" expected to attract extra interest from bidders.

However the photos taken of The Beatles on their Bahamas trip have been lost forever - after Mr Allchorne's camera was stolen from the beach.

The remaining photos taken in London, along with the original negatives, have been given an estimate of £2,000 and the entire lot £10,000.

The sale will take place at Omega Auctions in Cheshire, on May 19, and be broadcast live by the auctioneers.