A piece of SF music history will be on the market in SF in early February. The 56th California International Antiquarian Book Fair begins on February 9 in San Francisco, and many unique pieces of history will be on sale, notably lyrics handwritten by Paul McCartney himself for the iconic song “Lovely Rita.“
The first draft of the lyrics are scribbled on a piece of paper torn from a spiral notebook. Originally written in 1967, the lyrics would be on The Beatles’ iconic album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The rare piece of music history is in “near fine” condition and is framed with a picture of the album. The manuscript is particularly interesting because it includes McCartney’s line changes that have been added in blue to the initial 7 black lines.
The price is listed at a staggering $650,000, although the high price tag is unsurprising, considering manuscripts from the album have been sold for huge sums in the past.
About the 56th California International Antiquarian Book Fair
The iconic lyrics are just one of the many historic treasures on sale at the fair. The fair includes more than 100 international exhibitors selling books, maps, illustrations, documents, and more across various genres and time periods. Another notable piece for sale is a large-scale map of San Francisco by Augustus Chevalier in 1911. The antique map is priced at $45,000 from a Bay Area dealer.
The book fair is expected to draw large crowds, 5,000 attended to be exact. The fair runs from February 9 to 11 at Pier 27, The Embarcadero in San Francisco. This is the first time in 10 years the fair is being held in San Francisco, after previously residing in Oakland. Tickets range from $10 to $25, and you can reserve them in advance.
“This is one of the most important events in the country for rare book enthusiasts, and we are thrilled to return to San Francisco after enjoying nearly a decade of success in Oakland,” said Julie Roper, Director of the 56th California International Antiquarian Book Fair. Even if you’re not in the market for some insane music memorabilia, the fair promises to be an interesting event, especially if you love history or vintage items.