Awards given to The Beatles at height of their fame and hidden for over 60 years set to go

They were awards given to The Beatles at the peak of their fame - but have been out of sight for 60 years.

Now the gongs, including one for their 1966 smash hit Paperback Writer – a number one in both the UK and US charts – are to go under the hammer this coming week.  The commemorative discs are described as 'real rarities' and experts predict they'll be a hit with collectors - each selling for over £10,000.

The 7-inch silver disc for Paperback Writer was presented to the band by a weekly music paper in 1966 after the single's huge success.

The catalogue description released by Surrey-based Ewbanks Auctioneers, states: 'The Beatles received this award for the hit single 'Paperback Writer' released on the Parlophone label 10th June 1966, from the (then) prominent British weekly music paper 'Disc' (later Disc and Music Echo)'.  Ewbanks said the award came 'at a pivotal point in the band's career, marking the end of live shows and touring and becoming a more experimental studio based creative powerhouse, a time when Brian Epstein's influence was fading, Beatle Boots, suits and head shaking were all in the past'. However, it was 'a time that many consider the peak of their artistic career'.

The mounted award is estimated to fetch up to £10,000.  The second award, a mounted gold disc, was given by the Recording Industry Association of America, which represented major US record labels.

Silver disc given to the band in 1966 by British weekly music paper 'Disc' for Paperback Writer.  Gold disc given by the Recording Industry Association of America to commemorate the success of the 1964 US album Meet The Beatles!

It was handed out in recognition of the success of Meet The Beatles!, the US title for the first Beatles album, released on the Capitol Records label in 1964 and which reached No.1 for 11 consecutive weeks.

Millions of Americans rushed out to buy the album after seeing the band on the epoch-making Ed Sullivan Show.

The award, estimated to sell for up to £12,000, commemorates 'The Sale Of More Than One Million Dollars Worth Of The Capitol Records Long-Playing Record Album 'Meet The Beatles!'

Roag Best, half-brother of Pete Best, drummer for the Beatles in their early years between 1960 and 1962, and who advises The Beatles Museum in Liverpool, believes the newly unearthed awards will be a hit with collectors.

He said: 'These are awards hidden away for years. Collectors will like them for sure.'

Source: Richard Marsden/dailymail.co.uk

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