Diary that throws new light on Beatles break up to be auctioned next week

A personal diary written in 1969 by the wife of The Beatles press officer Derek Taylor is being sold at Special Auction Services in Newbury on Tuesday (March 26) and is expected to fetch £400-600.

The diary, written by Joan Taylor, gives a fascinating insight into the personal as well as business-life of The Beatles and the interaction that she and her husband Derek had with them during the fraught period of early 1969.

On reading the entries the nature of their personal relationships as well as Derek’s professional dealings with The Beatles is clear.

Derek was particularly close with George Harrison and less so with Paul McCartney (Monday, February 10: "More trouble with Paul Mc”) and the diary provides a unique and first-hand look at the events leading up to the break-up of the band and the Apple business.

Dave Martin, Special Auction Services Music & Entertainment Expert said: “The Beatles have been written about so many times that it is hard to find new insights into the band, but this diary throws a light on the key dates and events in the run up to their split and gives personal details that would not have been available before. Although the public were not aware of it, the break-up was building up for about a year before it became public, and so to a Beatles collector this is a fascinating artefact.”

Interestingly, the diary also includes day-to day details of Joan’s life such as the delivery of a piano, shopping, taking the kids out to spend pocket money, having a relaxing bath and watching the news. This is juxtaposed with the entries describing later on in the days when Derek came home from work and was clearly frazzled.

The diary was bought at a local auction by the Bones Lane Antiques Centre in Battlesbridge alongside other Derek Taylor ephemera including his passport from the time he worked as press officer to The Beatles, National Service card, Social Security Card and more.

https://www.specialauctionservices.com/

The SAS auction room and business HQ is based at Plenty Close, Newbury (RG14 5RL).