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Golden Dreams

The Beatles 'A Hard Day's Night'

Astrid Kirchherr, Max Scheler

Presenting the work of photographers Astrid Kirchherr and Max Scheler, Golden Dreams captures The Beatles during the filming of A Hard Day's Night, and documents the rise of Liverpool's Merseybeat phenomenon.

In 1964, Astrid Kirchherr and Max Scheler traveled from Hamburg to London to photograph The Beatles. Astrid knew the band well from their early days living in Hamburg, where they had honed their craft playing in the city's nightclubs. Now, working on a freelance assignment for Stern magazine, Astrid and Max were granted permission to shoot The Beatles during the making of their first movie, A Hard Day's Night. The pair photographed the band on and off the film set and in their London homes, before traveling to Liverpool. There they photographed The Beatles' original haunts, took portraits of the raft of Merseybeat groups following in their wake, and documented the famous lunchtime sessions taking place at The Cavern Club.

The result is an amazing archive of photographs published for the first time in Golden Dreams. Limited to only 2,500 numbered copies worldwide, the edition is available with a choice of photographic print inset into the front cover. Each copy is signed by both Astrid Kirchherr and Max Scheler.

The Photography

Golden Dreams

'These photos were taken in the spring of 1964. It's a time that will always belong to The Beatles. No other journalists were allowed near them at that time. They were so busy that Brian Epstein had ruled that they should not be bothered by the press. So Max and I were very lucky: they were good to Max and they treated me as they always had, like an old friend.' - Astrid Kirchherr

On the Beatles' first visit to Hamburg in 1960, they met Astrid Kirchherr: a budding photographer who became friends with the band. They remained close, and, in 1964, with The Beatles becoming famous throughout the world, Astrid visited the group on their home turf. Together with her fellow photographer, Max Scheler, Astrid was granted exclusive access to The Beatles during the making of their first feature film, A Hard Day's Night. As such, Kirchherr and Scheler's work provides a unique record of the project. The Beatles are seen in action with the movie's director, Dick Lester, and pictured alongside fellow cast members, such as Pattie Boyd. Their photography also focuses on the band members during private moments, relaxing in their London homes. And, on location in Liverpoool, their documentary portraits capture the passion and poverty of the city's people at a momentous point in their history. Golden Dreams is thus a moving testament to the inspirational effect of The Beatles' success on their hometown - as well as a historic document of the band's rise to superstardom.

 

The Authors

Golden Dreams

When she first met The Beatles, Astrid Kirchherr was a young art student in Hamburg, studying photography under the tutelage of Germany's respected architectural and still life photographer, Reinhart Wolf. Astrid fell in love with The Beatles' rock 'n' roll aesthetic and, against the backdrop of post-war Hamburg, she created some of the most iconic portraits ever taken of the band. With Astrid playing host to the boys in Germany and becoming engaged to the band's bass player, Stuart Sutcliffe, a lifelong connection with The Beatles was established.
 
Once named Germany's most famous photojournalist, during his career Max Scheler (1928-2003) was featured in leading publications such as Heute, Paris Match and Stern. His photo stories led to international recognition and even a meeting with the legendary Robert Capa. At one time, Scheler was himself a junior member of Capa's prestigious photo agency, Magnum. His career continued on into the mid-1970s, at which point Scheler increasingly dedicated himself to publishing others' work.

The Limited Edition

Golden Dreams

Published in a limited edition of 2,500 numbered copies, each book is personally signed by the authors, Astrid Kirchherr and Max Scheler.

Master-printed in black and gold ink, this exquisite 122-page volume is hand-bound in black buckram and housed in a sturdy, two-colour silk-screened slipcase. 

Included with your copy is an original photographic print, hand-pasted onto the front cover. A choice of five prints is available: John, Paul, George, Ringo or a group shot of all four Beatles. Please make your selection below.

Golden Dreams

The Beatles 'A Hard Day's Night'

Select from the following copies:

Group

Group

John

John

Paul

Paul

George

George

Ringo

Ringo
Group
Deluxe
£325.00
Available from £107.25 per month. Learn more >
Select your cover option below. Now shipping worldwide.

A photographic journey accompanying The Beatles during the filming of 'A Hard Day's Night' in 1964. Pictures of the band are set against the backdrop of Liverpool during the explosion of the Merseybeat phenomenon.

  • Page size: 270mm x 250mm
  • 122 pages
  • 125 images
  • ISBN:
    090435153X
  • Group
    500 copies
  • Signed by:
    Astrid Kirchherr, Max Scheler.
  • Paper:
    200gsm Matt Art
  • Binding:
    Bound in black cloth with gilt tooling, and a choice of image inset onto front cover.
  • Box:
    Cloth-covered slipcase, silk-screen printed with gilt tooling.
  • Extras:
    Select a choice of portrait (either 'John', 'Paul', 'George', 'Ringo', or 'Group') to be inset onto the front cover of your book.

The story of your book

Since 1974 Genesis has created signed limited edition books on behalf of authors and artists ranging from the Beatles to Buckingham Palace.

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