The Beatles | A cache of papers relating to the finances of the Beatles, Nems, and associated companies, c.1965-70

The Beatles--Nems Group

A cache of papers relating to the financial affairs of the Beatles, Nems, and related companies:

i) Memorandum and Articles of Association of Nemperor Artistes Limited ... Incorporated the 11th day of November 1965, prepared by M.A. Jacobs and Sons under the Companies Act of 1948, 9 pages, printed wrappers

ii) Copy of the Beatles' recording contract, Agreement between EMI ("The Gramophone Company Limited"), Nems Enterprises, and the four Beatles, photocopy with typescript corrections completed in blue ballpoint with copy signatures and initials, 12 pages, dated 26 January 1967 

iii) Photocopy Managment Agreement between Nems Enterprises and V.J. Lewis, appointing Lewis a Director of Nems and Managing Director of Nemperor Holdings, corrected draft, photocopy, 10 pages, 23 January 1968 

iv) Photocopy draft agreement between Nemperor Holdings and the Directors of Nems on the sale of shares, with revisions, 5 pages, December 1968

v) Photocopy agreement between Clive Epstein and Triumph Investment Trust outlining the investment companies for the Beatles, 28 pages, March 1969

vi) Photocopy draft Heads of Agreement between Triumph Investment Trust, the Beatles, and others, regarding the Beatles financial arrangements, with corrections and two signatures, 9 pages, 9 July 1969

vii) Photocopy unexecuted draft Share Sale Agreement, confirming the sale by Nemperor Holdings to Nemperor Artistes of 25,000 shares in Nems Enterprises for £33,000, with date left blank, 6 pages, c.1970

viii) Photocopy Memorandum Under Seal, regarding the transfer of funds between Nemperor Holdings and Nemperor Artistes, 2 pages, c.1970;

ix) Photocopy deed of Variation between Nemperor Holdings and Nems Enterprises, supplementing the Management Agreement of 23 January 1968, photocopy of unexecuted draft with date left blank, 4 pages, 1970

x) Photocopy press cuttings, 7 pages, 1967-68

xi) Photocopy correspondence and notes, 4 pages

xii) Miscellaneous manuscript and typescript notes on Nems finances, 9 pages

xiii) Printed invitation to a memorial service for Brian Epstein at St John's Wood synagogue, Abbey Road, 17 October 1967

A CACHE OF PAPERS PROVIDING AN INSIGHT INTO THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE BEATLES. This lot includes an internal working copy of the Beatles’ record contract with EMI of January 1967. This was the result of lengthy negotiations by Brian Epstein following the expiry of their first contract, which had been signed in 1962 when the Beatles were unknown. The 1967 contract increased both the band’s royalties and their artistic control – removing, for example, the ability of Capitol Records to change the artwork or track listing of their albums for American release – but bound the band to the record company for a period of ten years. Considering the immense earning power of the Beatles the level of royalties was still not generous, and the contract was renegotiated by Allan Klein in 1969. 

This group of papers derives from the "money man", Martin Wesson (1938-2009). Wesson was an accountant hired by Brian Epstein to handle the increasingly complicated financial affairs of Nems and its affiliates. His responsibilities includes paying band members, overseeing royalties, and preparing the accounts within the Nems group. Wesson later worked with Robert Stigwood and at EMI, and continued to work as an accountant in the music and entertainment industry for many years.