Martin Guitar / Tony Sheridan / Beatles, An Original Martin D-28E Electro Acoustic Guitar, Serial number 167874 with a production date of 15th May 1959. With original Guitar Case stamped 'Starclub Hamburg'. After careful perusal of the evidence set out below we believe that this guitar was originally owned and played by Tony Sheridan when he was resident in Hamburg recording and playing with The Beatles. The date of manufacture has been confirmed with the Customer Service Department of C. F. Martin & Co Inc (email available with the lot). Online correspondence from Ted 'Kingsize' Taylor (a contemporary of the early Beatles in Liverpool and Hamburg) to the vendor is included where he states that the guitar was purchased by him from Tony Sheridan after being damaged and subsequently repaired. A photo is included of Taylor playing the guitar in the Sixties and showing the repair by the toggle switch as with the guitar here. Photos are included of Tony Sheridan with the guitar and guitar case which appears to be exactly the same as the one included here. From the Andy Babiuk Book 'Beatles Gear' (publ 2002 by Backbeat Books) there is a quote from Tony Sheridan himself: "On Stage with the Beatles nightly, for long hours, guitars were passed around quite a bit". There would be little doubt from that quote that Tony Sheridan's Martin guitar would have been passed around and played by members of the Beatles during their time in Hamburg. Apart from the small repair by the toggle switch the guitar is in very good visual condition. The Case has had a couple of stickers added but still clearly shows the 'Starclub' prints and is in very good condition.

With declaration of Ivory content Submission No. TJRLB76R