[The Beach Boys] - Brian Wilson

Approximately 60 pages (various sizes), v.p., 1964, with 8 autograph envelopes. All in good condition with horizontal fold lines. 

Together with: 1 autograph letter signed ("Dennis") and 1 autograph letter from Dennis Wilson, to Betsy Winan, 5 pages, [London], [1965], with 1 autograph envelope. 



Also with: six printed songsheets for various Beach Boys singles signed by Brian Wilson, two signed additionally by Dennis Wilson, another songsheet for 'Surfer Girl' inscribed in one hand "To Bets Our Little Surfer Girl / The Beach Boys" and inscribed twice with each group member's first name (Dennis once), and one songbook with 13 songs signed in 3 places and inscribed once "To Betsy / Love, Brian" (page 12, "The Ballad of Old Betsy").

Sotheby's N07413, lot 410 (18 December 1999)

Brian Wilson's love letters to the original Little Surfer Girl.

An extensive and important collection of letters to Brian Wilson's then girlfriend and fellow Californian, Betsy Winan. Brian shares anecdotes from the road and credits many of the Beach Boys's greatest hits to this teenage infatuation. Highlights include:

In a five page letter, mentioning meeting the Beatles: "We had our concert with the Beatles, and Betsy John & Paul are so nice. We talked for a long time about American girls and American performers. They are really a couple of really neat guys. I really enjoyed working with them. Paul asked me how I got ideas for my songs and if my friends encourage or inspired any of my writings. I told him that the ideas just somehow got into my head."

Commenting positively on Ron Altbach: "Ron is really working out great. Part of the time plays guitar, but most of the time he plays drums. He should play guitar more because he's better on it than Dennis! But I can't tell Dennis that." 

Regarding Betsy's influence on his songwriting: "Our whole new album is dedicated to you and the things we've done these past months: 'Girls on the Beach' - Denny met you; 'Husha Bye' - when we had to leave each other; 'Wendy' - my ex girlfriend who I'm really happy about leaving me now because otherwise I wouldn't know you; 'All Summer Long' - should be 'All Winter Long' - but the same idea is there ... 'We'll Run Away' - what I wish we could do. I want to so bad!"

Attributing his gold record to Betsy: "You were so sweet and just listened to all my troubles and the words you said were 'don't worry,' and then I knew that 'Don't Worry, Baby' just had to be written. Well it was, and  I've got a gold record thanks to you and your sweet little ways." 

Although Brian was married to his first wife Marilyn on December 8, 1964, two of these letters, written December 7 and 14, 1964, show a continued but declining relationship with Betsy. Brian's brother Dennis, also quite fond of Betsy, intervenes with two letters to her in an attempt to make up for his brother's callous ways: "When I get home we'll both forget about Brian. You can start dating Dennis Wilson and forget about the Beach Boy bit .... Wait until I get home - we will show Brian a few things about love!"