A unique myth-busting outtake photo from The Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s” cover shoot is set to fetch thousands.
The picture shows The Fab Four in their colorful outfits as they posed for the most famous album sleeve of all time in 1967.
But auctioneers say it dispels a long-held rumor that McCartney didn’t pose with the group on the day amid a falling out.
The back of the album featured Macca with his back turned, prompting speculation it wasn’t him.
Experts claimed he had fallen out with the band and did not want to join the others for the group photo for the front of “Sgt. Pepper’s.”
They said he may have posed alone and was later added in, but this image proves he was there, auctioneers say.
The unreleased image was included years later in 1984 as part of a never-sent press release for the unreleased Beatles album “Sessions.”
“Sessions” – a compilation album of previously unreleased tracks – was due to be released eight years after the band split.
Accompanying the release of the album in November 1984 would be the single “Leave My Kitten Alone.”
Due to objections from the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison the album never saw the light of day.
But all of the tracks had been mixed and finalized along with artwork and press release information.
Going under the hammer at Wessex Auction Rooms for the first time anywhere in the world is the complete press release kit.
It includes all internal EMI Records memorandum to PR staff, press releases for the album and single, mock up sleeve artwork and a number of previously unseen photos and transparencies.
Auctioneer Martin Hughes says ”the jewel in the crown” is the outtake from the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album shoot.
He said: ”It had long been rumored that Paul McCartney was not at the ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ sleeve photo shoot because the back of the album only showed him from behind.
”This new image showed the side of his face which would prove that he was indeed there on the day.
“Beatles fans from around the world – and there are a few of them – will be queuing up to bid on this.”
The collection is expected to fetch over $12,640 on Friday, August 18.
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
