The Beatles’ first recording contract is going up for auction

The first recording contract ever signed by The Beatles – during their early days in Hamburg, Germany – is expected to fetch about $150,000 when it goes up for auction in New York next month, the company handing the sale said on Tuesday. “I understand” – the Fab Four in “A Hard Day’s night” Among other items being sold in the auction are a set of psychedelic posters of the band (AP) Rubber Soul, by The Beatles.

The estate of Beatles historian Uwe Blaschke-who died in 2010-will put the papers up for bidding on September 19 in New York, according to the Associated Press. The resulting single came out on the German Polydor label in 1961 and was credited to Tony Sheridan & the Beat Brothers. At the time, Pete Best played the drums instead of Ringo Starr, and Stuart Sutcliffe was on bass.

Heritage Auctions plans to sell what’s touted as the first recording contract signed by the Beatles. It earned some buzz back home in Liverpool, and this led to the Beatles being discovered by manager Brian Epstein.

Dean Harmeyer, consignment director at Heritage Auctions, called the contract “perhaps the most historically important Beatles document to ever appear at auction”.

See an image the contract down below.

The contract also states that the group was paid $80 for the single.