- 19
The Beatles - Michael Jackson
Description
- An authorised reproduction of official documents detailing the terms for Jackson's bank loan for acquiring the back catalogue of the Beatles
- paper
Provenance
Condition
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
"Northern Songs" was a company founded in 1963 to hold the publication rights to the majority of songs written by Lennon & McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. In 1968, the major shareholder (Dick James) sold his shares to ATV Music Publishing (Lew Grade), without the Beatles' knowledge or power to prevent it. ATV was then sold to an Australian industrialist (Robert Holmes a Court), in the early 1980s, who put the catalogue up for sale. At about the same time, Paul McCartney was advising Michael Jackson, during their musical collaboration, of the financial value of investing in music publishing. Though McCartney and Yoko Ono were offered the opportunity to purchase the catalogue, Jackson became the new owner, after negotiating this complicated loan agreement with Chemical Bank.