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The Beatles 1964 Vintage 9.5x7 B/W Press Photo Jimmy Nicol World Tour Airport
🛈 SHIPPING NOTE: To combine postage and pay just a single £2.70 UK delivery fee when buying multiple items from my shop, please make sure you add all your items to your Basket before checking out.
First Impression & Visual Impact
A rare and historically significant airport arrival shot showing Paul McCartney, John Lennon, stand-in drummer Jimmy Nicol, and George Harrison waving from an airplane airstair. Documenting the legendary June 1964 World Tour when Nicol temporarily replaced Ringo Starr, this high-contrast darkroom print captures a famous moment in Beatlemania history.
Item Details & Provenance
Subject: The Beatles (Paul, John, George) with stand-in drummer Jimmy Nicol on airplane steps
Date / Era: June 1964 (World Tour / Jimmy Nicol Era)
Format & Finish: High-gloss traditional silver-halide photographic print on heavy archive paper stock
Condition Report
Overall Grade: Good Vintage Condition
Front Details: Excellent laboratory-quality silver-halide photographic print. NOT cheap home computer inkjet reproductions. Sharp facial detail, rich contrast, and deep blacks. Minor handling wear from historical filing; no physical creases, tears, or pinholes. Listing images show minor surface reflections due to the high-gloss nature of the archive paper stock.
Reverse Side: Traditional unbranded plain paper backing.
The Story & Historical Context
Elite Beatles History Cultural Archive: An exceptional, highly sought-after original vintage 9.5x7 inch black and white press photograph documenting one of the most intriguing chapters in Beatles history. In June 1964, Ringo Starr collapsed with tonsillitis on the eve of their Australasian tour, leading session drummer Jimmy Nicol to step in for 13 historic days. Struck directly from the Press Association master negative, this piece captures Nicol alongside John, Paul, and George waving to crowds during their tour travels.
PHOTOGRAPHIC GRADING & PROVENANCE NOTE (PSA TYPE II): This archive print is a true, first-generation darkroom photograph developed chemically in the laboratory directly from the original Press Association master negative. Classified under the standard US photographic grading system as an official Type II Press Photograph. It is NOT a modern digital inkjet reproduction, second-generation copy, or laser print, offering exceptional clarity, deep silver-halide contrast, and genuine Fleet Street provenance. A genuine silver-halide darkroom print struck directly by the Press Association from their master negative during their 1970s/1980s archive filing and syndication period (on plain-backed resin-coated stock).
Provenance & Shipping Details:
Dempsey Archive Lineage: This print comes directly from the private collection of Press Association photographers Mike and Sean Dempsey. A copy of the official career provenance statement will be securely enclosed with your order to guarantee its flawless agency background.
Source: Sourced directly from a Press Association archive collection.
Terms of Sale & Copyright: This listing is for the physical photograph only, sold strictly as historical memorabilia. This sale does not transfer copyright, reproduction rights, or commercial rights.
Shipping & Packaging: Packed securely in a new heavy-duty card-backed envelope to ensure safe transit. Combined shipping is available if you are selecting multiple pieces from this collection.
\"COA\" Statement: Prints will be accompanied by a copy of the signed provenance statement from the archive\'s custodians, which serves as a Certificate of Authenticity. It reads:
\"These photographs were collected and kept by myself and my brother, Sean Dempsey, during our careers at the Press Association, in Fleet St London. The Collections include Original Music, sub culture, and British Social history Archive Prints, spanning the 1960s-1980s - (Some with the original PA stamps) along with historical and later files from the agency\" — Mike Dempsey
Shipping, Offers & Multi-Buy:
Best Offer: Reasonable offers are welcome, particularly if you are looking to purchase multiple prints from this archive collection.
Combined Shipping: Please contact me in advance to build a lot to combine postage or build a basket before checkout.
ARCHIVE BULK BUY DISCOUNTS: Looking to buy more than one vintage archive print lot? Simply use the \"MAKE OFFER\" button on your selected items! I gladly accept 10% OFF when you buy 2 print lots or 15% OFF for 3 or more print lots. COMBINED SHIPPING: Add all items to your basket before paying to automatically combine your postage and save!
About This Archive & Buying Confidence
This specialized profile is dedicated exclusively to original vintage music, media, cinema, and entertainment photography.
For buying confidence, I also operate as mhg1977 on —a long-established account with over two decades of 100% positive response. This dedicated profile simply keeps this specific press archive organized for fellow collectors.
This listing is part of a premium, curated release from a major private press archive collection. As a lifelong specialist in football vintage memorabilia, my extensive archive was professionally catalogued by Bonhams in 2006 for their prestigious specialist collections. I have continued to curate, collect, and trade ensuring absolute authenticity and solid provenance. Please check my other items for more rare, high-quality vintage rock music photography.
