Tiny Address Book Signed by The Beatles Heads to Auction in the Cotswolds

A rare tiny address book featuring the autographs of all four members of The Beatles is poised to go under the hammer at an auction near Bristol next week. This unique memorabilia dates back to the 1960s and offers a fascinating glimpse into the height of Beatlemania.

The address book originated from Oddi’s, an Italian restaurant located on Goldhawk Road in Shepherds Bush, West London—just a stone’s throw from the old BBC Television Centre. During the 1960s, the restaurant offered these small notepad address books as advertising keepsakes to diners. The book acquired the legendary signatures during an unexpected Beatles visit.

According to family legend, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr stopped at Oddi’s for a meal after finishing a BBC television appearance, perhaps one of their many shows such as Pops and Lenny or the iconic 1967 global broadcast of “All You Need Is Love.” A waitress at the restaurant quickly grabbed the nearest item—the address book—to collect their autographs.

The address book measures just 10cm by 7cm and bears the distinct signatures of all four Beatles on a page near the front. Its cover is embossed with “Oddi’s Restaurant, 11 Goldhawk Road, W12, Shepherds Bush 4996,” marking it as a genuine relic from this celebrity-frequented hotspot in London’s music scene during the 60s and 70s.

Now, six decades later, this extraordinary piece of British music history is set to be auctioned at Wotton Auction Rooms during their two-day sale on December 30 and 31. Auction house managing director Joseph Trinder estimates the book’s value between £800 and £1,200, though it could potentially fetch more given its provenance and cultural significance.

“Small, unexpected discoveries like this are what every auctioneer hopes to find,” Trinder said. “It’s a fabulous piece of music history that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and carries the unmistakable mark of The Beatles’ legacy.”