Epstein copy of Beatles’ contract may net €322k

BRIAN EPSTEIN’S copy of his management contract with The Beatles, a pact that proved to be worth millions, is being offered for sale in London next month.

The four-page document, signed October 1, 1962, by John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Richard Starkey — Ringo Starr’s real name — carries an estimated price of $480,000 (€321,908). The Fame Bureau auction house said yesterday it had scheduled the sale for September 4 at the Idea Generation Gallery.

The contract, also signed by Harold Hargreaves Harrison and James McCartney on behalf of their underage sons, gave Epstein a 25% cut of the band’s earnings, provided they made more than $400 each per week.

“The word is that he made more money than the Beatles did during his period of time,” said Ted Owen, managing director of The Fame Bureau.

He said the contract was offered for sale by a northern England businessman and Beatles collector who has asked to remain anonymous.

Also up for auction: a Bechstein grand piano that can be heard on The Beatles’ White Album and “Hey Jude. Owen estimated the piano will sell for $570,000.