Unseen pictures of The Beatles sold after being discovered in Coventry

Unseen original photos of The Beatles taken by a member of the film crew shooting at two of the Fab Four's movies have been sold after coming to light right here in Coventry.

The snaps feature in an archive compiled by Edward Tucker during his decades working in the movie industry, including Beatles film's A Hard Day's Night and Help! Known as Ted or Teddy, Mr Tucker had a ringside seat to some iconic cinematic moments thanks to his role as grip – a technician responsible for building and maintaining equipment supporting cameras and other production gear on a film set.

His collection ended up at auction it was taken to a ‘Dealer Day’ at the Coventry Building Society Arena last month for a new series of hit ITV antiques programme Dickinson’s Real Deal.

After going under the hammer with Richard Winterton Auctioneers at The Lichfield Auction Centre on Monday (November 3) were purchased for £660.  Ted’s archive includes eight never-before-seen behind the scenes Beatles photos, six from A Hard Day’s Night and two from Help!, scripts including one for the 1976 blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed – which writer Tom Mankiewicz reportedly thought to be his best work – and signed photos by stars such as Sir Michael Caine and Kate Bush.

The collection was took to auction by Ted’s daughter and son Leigh-Anne and Owen following their dad’s death eight years ago aged 83.

“Dad lived next door to Twickenham Studios,” said Leigh-Anne, 58, an activities assistant at a care home from Cambridgeshire. “One day he was digging a hole for the council and someone said ‘hey mate, you want to come and do that for us.’

“So he started as a set builder and went on to become a much-loved, accredited grip who travelled the world and was highly valued in the film industry.” Ted met future wife Sheila in the 1960s at the famous Eel Pie Island nightclub. It was a love match which led to two children and incorporated a glamourous social life which included wrap parties and first night screenings.

A keen photographer, Ted kept his camera close to hand and Shelia was an enthusiastic autograph hunter. The collection includes a signed photo to Sheila from Michael Caine alongside a ticket to the gala world premiere of Alfie at the Plaza Theatre in Piccadilly Circus on March 24 1966.

Source: uk.news.yahoo.com/Danny Thompson

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