The Beatles 1965 Signed Official American League Baseball (JSA & Caiazzo).
An Official American League baseball that has been signed by The Beatles in ballpoint pen. John Lennon has added the dedication ‘To Ray good heavens', Paul McCartney has added the dedication ‘to Ray best wishes', George Harrison has added the dedication ‘To Ray from' and Ringo Starr has added the dedication ‘To Ray Best Wishes'.
Provenance: The autographs were obtained by Ray Crump, who was equipment manager for the Minnesota Twins between 1961 and 1984. The Beatles played a concert at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis on August 21st 1965 and Crump obtained the signatures when he was with the group backstage before the concert.
The autographs are accompanied by a letter from Ray Crump which reads ‘The Beatles came to Minnesota in August, 1965 for a concert in Bloomington. The four were constantly besieged by groupies while on tour so they stayed in the Minnesota Twins Locker Room at Metropolitan Stadium. I set up cots for them in the clubhouse to rest before the show. While they were in the locker room, I took several pictures of them while they waited for their portion of the concert to begin. Brian Epstein took pictures of me and the four of them. I also had individual pictures of each of the Beatles that were taken by the other Beatles. I personally had each member of the band sign a baseball to me while I watched them add their signatures. There is even a picture of them holding the ball I had them sign. The Beatles had a press conference as well in the Minnesota Room near the Twins Clubhouse. When the concert was over the band went to a local hotel for the night. They stayed with me for at least 8 hours before the concert. They took great interest in the Sauna and Harmon Killbrew's Locker. They played cards, roulette and other games to pass the time. For a great deal of the time the only people in the clubhouse were Brian Epstein, me and Paul, George, Ringo and John. When the concert was closer to starting, other people were allowed in the locker room. Ray Crump'.
One of the only known signed Beatles baseball.
The signed baseball comes with the letter from Ray Crump, a modern colour photograph of Ray and The Beatles in the locker room, a signed copy of Ray Crump's book in which he writes about The Beatles visit, a Tracks Ltd. COA and a Frank Caiazzo COA. Crump has written SAT. AUG 21 – 1965 on the baseball. The baseball has a stain in one area and the signatures slightly faded but all very legible. Also comes with a James Spence Authentication (JSA) Letter of Authenticity, a Roger Epperson (REAL) Letter of Authenticity and a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.