B31299 – The Beatles 1965 MBE Autographed Buckingham Palace Envelope (UK) – £Price On Request

An original Buckingham Palace, London, England envelope autographed by The Beatles and also by the English broadcaster Robert Dougall in black ink. The envelope is postmarked London 1st October 1965, stamped with an official Buckingham Palace stamp and addressed to William G, Davies Esq. There is a Central Chancery of the Orders Of Knighthood crest printed on the signature side.

The autographs were obtained at Buckingham Palace, London, England on 26th October 1965 when The Beatles were receiving their MBEs from the Queen. They arrived at the palace in John Lennon’s black Rolls Royce, watched by a crowd of 4000 Beatles fans who were held back by police, many of the fans scaled lamp posts and even the gates of the palace to try and capture a glimpse of their idols.

Also included is an original Buckingham Palace investiture letter that was sent to William G. Davies who received an MBE on the same day and a Buckingham Palace compliments slip.

The investiture letter measures 20cm x 32.75cm (7.9 inches x 13.9 inches). The condition is excellent. The envelope measures 22.25cm x 9.5cm (8.75 inches x 3.75 inches). There is some light discolouration to the autographs. The condition is very good.

Provenance: accompanied by a letter from William G. Davies that reads:

‘I hereby certify the envelope contains the authentic signatures of The Beatles. I obtained these signatures on June 15th 1965 [sic.] when both The Beatles and I were waiting to be inaugurated by the Queen when we were to obtain the MBE’s from her. My MBE was given by the Queen immediately after The Beatles received theirs. It was interesting that when we were approaching Buckingham Palace, a hoard of young people surrounded us, until they saw we were not The Beatles and they were disappointed like a morning mist! Before being interviewed by the Queen we were instructed what to do by the Palace officials, and not to speak to her unless she spoke to us. The Beatles seemed to me to be nervous when I was engaged in speaking with them. When I received my MBE I was fortunate that the Queen asked me what I did and I answered briefly. As I proceeded to join my wife, Seba and my daughter, Sharon, The Beatles were in front of me. My daughter was all eyes for them, not for me and when Paul McCartney looked and winked at her, she nearly swooned! I obtained my MBE for work I had done as Surveyor and Flood Controller in Newton, Montgomeryshire on the occasion of the severe flooding of the River Severn during December 1964. I was ultimately interviewed by Cliff Braiser when he was in charge of the national television programme ‘Tonight’. Robert Dougall, the newscaster, who also received an award, provided the other signature on the envelope’.

Price On Request
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