Tag Archives: books

Unboxing “The Treasures of the Beatles”

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OK. As I mentioned in the last blog post, a new book has come into the collection. It was only released in November.

I don’t know if you’ve seen these types of books before but they are like a box set in that the book itself sits inside a hard outer casing. The hardback book slides out and, as well as the usual text and photographs, on certain pages inside are pouches that contain replicas of memorabilia associated with the topic. I’ve got one of these already about Bob Dylan. Its called “The Bob Dylan Scrapbook”. I saw another of these books in a store the other day – it was a history book all about the Vietnam war.

Anyway, this new release is all about The Beatles. Its called “Treasures of the Beatles” and it follows the history of the band from the early days in Liverpool and Hamburg, up through each album, the creation of Apple Records, and on to the perhaps inevitable break-up and briefly the solo careers beyond.

It is written by Terry Burrows. He’s a fairly prolific music author and you can see some of his long list of other things he’s written here, including some other Beatles-related titles.

Terry has written a loving tribute to the band and there are lots of great photos inside – some of which I’ve never seen before. But the great part about discovering this book is opening up the little pouches which are full of surprises like publicity and concert posters, replica concert tickets, contracts, hand-written set lists, tour itineraries, postcards, and even a 1967 invitation to The Magical Mystery Tour.

What does it all look like as you browse through the book? Below are some photos,  an “unboxing” of the book with a few pages on display and some of the facsimiles of rare memorabilia that are contained within. Enjoy.

“Treasures of the Beatles” Terry Burrows   2009 Hardback    Published by Crows Nest Books

Front Cover (Outer Box)

Back Cover (Outer Box)

Front Cover (Book)

Pages example 1 - showing one of the pouches

Treasures example - including (burned) replica contract document, etc.

Pages example 2

Treasures example - including posters

Replica concert ticket

Book spine

The Treasures of the Beatles – New Book

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The Treasures of the Beatles

This is new. Just out.

A new full-colour Beatles book with text by Terry Burrows.

More on this soon, with “unboxing” pics of this impressive book (with it’s facimiles of rare memorabilia tucked away in pockets inside).

Until then, here’s a review.

Paul McCartney – Now & Then

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Just near where I work is one of those clearance bookshops that specialise in discontinued lines or overstocks. Its called “Discount Books” and for the avid Beatles collector it is worth dropping by on a semi-regular basis because you never know what is going to turn up. It stocks books from around the world that have either not sold as well as expected, or that have had just a few hundred sitting around in a warehouse for a couple of years that they want to to clear. Over a lengthy period of time I’ve probably picked up 20 or so unusual Beatles-related titles that I was either unaware existed or never got around to buying for full price.  And generally these have been, as the name of the store suggests, at discount prices.

Today I dropped by and found this.

Its called “Paul McCartney – Now & Then” and is a photo and text book compiled and written by Tony Barrow and Robin Bextor. It immediately had a bit of cred because Tony Barrow is a long-time Beatles associate having been their public relations guy for six year between 1962-1968.  Its his name that you see at the bottom of the back of many of their top-selling early album covers because he wrote all the liner notes. He’s the guy who first coined the term “the fab four”,  so you know something of his heritage and where he’s coming from, and that this is not just some book written by a Johnny come lately.

“Now & Then” was first published in 2004 probably as a hardback, but this is a 2006 paperback edition. In a nutshell roughly the first quarter of the book is taken up with essays and stories by the authors dealing with Paul McCartney “Now”. The second quarter is a series of interviews with various luminaries who know or who have worked closely with him (Pete Best; Klaus Voorman; Bill Harry; Peter Asher; Brian Wilson; Steve Miller and George Martin to name just a few). The final two quarters of the book are concerned with McCartney “Then”, and finally “Today”.

There are lots of great photographs scattered throughout – just about every page has an interesting Paul-related shot – many of which I’ve never seen before. They’re a mixture of black and white and colour.

So all-in-all its a nice little package that I picked up for just under $10.  It is 144 pages and I am really looking forward to a more thorough read.  If anyone has seen this book before and knows a little bit more about it or its authors please feel free to drop a comment and let us know your thoughts.

Barrow, T.   &  Bextor, R.   “Paul McCartney  Now & Then” Carlton Books  1 84442 204 6

UK/2006/Paperback

Front cover of "Paul McCartney - Now & Then" 2006

Front cover of "Paul McCartney - Now & Then" 2006

UPDATE: See also “Paul McCartney – Now and Then – Part Two”