THE Beatles’ first contract was taken from under lock and key yesterday to be shown off to fans who are being offered the chance to win the document.
A competition has been launched in which contestants pay to guess the value of the contract, with the winner keeping the highly prized document.
The Fab Four’s prospective manager, Brian Epstein, spotted the band in Liverpool’s Cavern Club in 1961, and the contract was signed the following year.
It bears a mistake where Lennon wrote his name in the wrong part and it was also signed by some band members’ parents, due to their young ages.
The contract has only changed hands a couple of times over the decades.
It is currently insured for £500,000 but is regarded as an irreplaceable piece of musical heritage.
Competition entrants must pay £10 for the chance to estimate what the contract was valued at by a panel of experts.
The winner will be announced in around six weeks’ time.
The competition can be entered by visiting www.imagine.uk.com
