Are my father’s signed Beatles photos and vinyl records worth anything? DAN HATFIELD answers

My father was a big fan of the Beatles growing up, and we have some memorabilia that we would like you to appreciate.

We have three signed color photos of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. One has my dad with him, one has a few other friends, and one is just John and Paul.

They were made in February 1963 when the Beatles played the Azena Ballroom in Sheffield, and later signed in Liverpool. This was right before they hit the big time.

We also have a vinyl copy of their debut album, Please Please Me, from the same year, signed (personalized to my father) by John and Paul.

The photos are in excellent condition, the album in good condition. Simon

Dan Hatfield, our local valuation expert, answers: The Beatles didn’t just make music, they created a movement that transformed culture and informed society.

Everything about them had an impact, from their mop-top hairstyles and tailored suits that changed the fashion landscape, to the music that influenced and reflected the countercultural and peace movements of the time.

The Beatles meant, and still mean, so much to so many people. They invaded the US and reversed the dominance of American artists, paving the way for British bands to break away from the domestic market and conquer the world.

The Beatles are perhaps the most influential and popular band of all time. With 22 number one hits in the US and 17 in Great Britain, this band was not only big, but colossal.

Memories of this band linger fondly in the hearts of baby boomers who idolized the Fab Four and made everything they touched, signed and owned worth incredible amounts of money.

I find memorabilia in general fascinating and there are millions of pieces worldwide that vary enormously. The music memorabilia market is booming, driven by a mix of nostalgia and investment opportunities.

Globally, the collectibles market will be worth just over £296 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach £416 billion by 2028.

A combination of the world’s biggest ever band and a market that’s growing incredibly fast means there’s exciting potential when it comes to your Beatles memorabilia.

I think your stuff can be worth quite a bit of money, certainly more so than it was a decade ago.

In such a booming market, I always get a second opinion on my valuations to ensure my knowledge is robust and that I perform best for my clients.

So I spoke to my good friends at Tennants auction house in North Yorkshire, where a lot of Beatles memorabilia has been sold over the years.

Keegan Harris, the collectibles specialist at Tennants, agrees with my analysis. He says: ‘Beatles memorabilia is truly an eternal collector’s item – with new generations of collectors continually entering the market, equally fascinated by the Fab Four.’

In the presence of greatness: This photo shows our reader Simon’s father with Paul and John

Inked: All photos are signed by both Paul McCartney and John Lennon

Delving deeper, I researched other signed Beatles memorabilia to see what prices it has fetched at Tennants auctions. They achieve strong results in this area, for example selling a set of four autographs for £3,000.

However, items that really sell are those that stand out from the crowd. Keegan says: ‘Rare items are obviously the most sought after, with complete sets of autographs commanding a premium.’

We know with your items that unfortunately you don’t have all four signatures, but nevertheless I am excited, stimulated and enthusiastic about your fantastic memorabilia.

The photos of your father and his friends posing with Paul and John are simply captivating. Photographed in Sheffield before The Beatles hit No. 1 in the charts, they capture a fleeting moment of normality before the explosion of Beatlemania.

What stands out is their unpolished charm; these are not the global superstars we now revere, but young musicians on the cusp of greatness.

Photos like these are highly collectible, even if they feature non-Beatles individuals. I estimate the group photos at around £800, with the solo image of Paul and John fetching between £1,000 and £1,200 at auction.

Your signed Please Please Me album is a treasure. This debut LP marked the beginning of everything, making it highly sought after among collectors.

The album is personally dedicated to your father. Personalization often reduces the value of a collectible, but because Beatles memorabilia is so popular, we do not foresee any negative financial impact in this case.

Keegan of Tennants values ​​this piece at between £1,200 and £1,800 depending on its condition. In my opinion, with its historical significance and the emotional appeal it has to baby boomers, I’m confident it can reach the higher end of that estimate.

Our valuations are based on you selling through a reputable auction house such as Tennants who deal with these types of items on a regular basis.

Personalised: The album was signed by Simon’s father, Barry, but Dan Hatfield says this should not affect its value as Beatles memorabilia is so popular with collectors

Iconic: the front of the Please Please Me shows the Fab Four in a stairwell

You could go it alone and try to sell them privately, which can sometimes come with a slightly higher price tag because there are no auction fees.

But an auction house’s vast global reach can attract buyers from all over the world and help you land a great sale. Choosing a high-end auction house also offers you end-to-end support, making it an attractive and safe choice.

It goes without saying that all memorabilia must be authenticated before we can guarantee true value, but I don’t think this will be a problem for your items.

Your father’s love for The Beatles didn’t just bring him joy; it left a legacy of historical significance and financial potential.

Whether you want to sell or cherish these items, one thing is certain: the magic of the Fab Four still works wonders.

Send in your modern treasures

Dan Hatfield: Our columnist is ready to appreciate your modern treasure

Dan Hatfield is This Morning’s money-making expert and local pawnbroker. He is an international specialist in antiques, jewelry, diamonds and collectibles.

Dan’s first non-fiction book, Money Maker: Unlock Your Money Making Potential (£16.99, published by Hodder Catalyst) is available now.

This Modern Treasures of Money column stands behind your items and collections for appraisals.

Please send as much information as possible, including photos, to: editor@thisismoney.co.uk with the subject line: Modern treasures

We are only looking for post war items and we can contact you for further information.

Dan will do his best to respond to your message in his biweekly column, but he will not be able to reply to everyone or correspond with readers privately.

Nothing in his answers constitutes regulated financial advice. Published questions are sometimes edited for brevity or other reasons.

As with anything, if you’re looking to sell items and collections, it’s wise to get a second and third opinion – and not just rely on Dan’s suggestions.