Beatles auction brings Fab Four and Cilla memorabilia up for grabs

Cilla Black was a friend and contemporary of The Beatles. Credit: Press Assocation

A signed "luv Cilla" handkerchief along with John Lennon's detention note from his days as a Liverpudlian schoolboy are being placed up for auction later this month among a collection of other Beatles memorabilia.

The poignantly signed hanky from Cilla Black, who died just over a week ago at her Spanish villa, is one of 328 items being auctioned off to enthusiasts and investors in the stars' home city of Liverpool as part of the annual Beatles Auction.

The hanky is said to be from around 1964 and is expected to fetch between £20-£30.

The Quarry Bank High School detention note dated 1955 speaks of a "noisy" Lennon during his time in Class 3B over the month long period and has a guide price of between £2,200 and £2,500.

Other items to be auctioned off include the old door to the birthplace of the late Beatles guitarist George Harrison in 12 Arnold Grove, Liverpool, complete with key, and carries an estimate of £800 - £1,000.

Strands of George Harrison's hair are also up for grabs with a starting price of £200.

The handkerchief is expected to fetch between £20-£30.
Ian Wallace, owner of The Beatles Shop, with the door to the birthplace of George Harrison taken from 12 Arnold Grove, Liverpool. Credit: Press Association.

The Annual Liverpool Beatles Auction is now in its 24th year and will be held in the Paul McCartney Auditorium at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts on Saturday, August 29 where both Paul and George were pupils.

With 328 lots, Beatles fans from across the world are expected to pay out thousands of pounds for the chance to own their piece of history.

The auction coincides with Liverpool's International Beatleweek.