B46614 – Derek Taylor Collection Of Journalist Related Items (UK)

A small collection of ephemera relating to Derek Taylor’s career in journalism. The collection includes a Manchester Press Club membership card expiring 31st December 1964, a Derek Taylor business card from the News Chronicle Dispatch, Manchester and a letter dated 20th April 1955 from the Liverpool Daily Post And Echo Ltd which reads as follows:

‘You have made a very promising start here and I have much pleasure in raising your salary to £8 6s. 0d. a week plus the cost of living payment, from the 1st May.’

The letter comes in the original mailing envelope and is addressed to Mr D.W Taylor, 27 Grafton Walk, West Kirby, Wirral.

Provenance: from the estate of former Beatles press officer Derek Taylor.

Derek was born in Liverpool on 7th May 1932. He was employed as a journalist for the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo and went on to work for the Daily Express. Whilst working for the newspaper he was commissioned in 1963 to ghost write a column for George Harrison and struck up a collaboration with the Beatle which turned into a life-long friendship. Brian Epstein hired Derek to work for himself and The Beatles in early 1964. He resigned at the end of the USA 1964 summer tour and moved to California undertaking work for various American bands. In 1968 The Beatles asked Derek to become press officer for their newly formed company, Apple Corps. He became an integral part of The Beatles inner circle and assumed a high profile role in promoting artists signed to the Apple label.

The membership card measures 7.5cm x 5.5cm (3 inches x 2.25 inches). The business card measures 7.5cm x 4.5cm (3 inches x 1.75 inches). The letter measures 20cm x 12.5cm (8 inches x 5 inches). The condition is very good plus.