‘Klaus was part of a group of The Beatles’ friends in Hamburg. His “memory drawings” of our Hamburg days are not only beautiful in themselves, but capture the spirit of the times.’ – Paul McCartney
In the late 1990s, while Genesis was preparing the Beatles' Anthology book for Apple Corps, Genesis Publications commissioned Klaus Voormann – whose artwork was to become the visual signature for the Anthology album releases – to undertake a series of photo-realistic paintings. These paintings were to form the basis of a companion project entitled Hamburg Days, depicting The Beatles’ early years in Hamburg, 1960-62. In the creation of his paintings, Klaus built sets and used models to reenact his memories of his days with the band. A series of expressionistic drawings accompanied their production. Genesis exclusively offers the six oil paintings and six of Voormann’s drawings as individually numbered, artist-signed prints.
'The really good thing about Klaus and his drawings is that - unlike many other people - he was actually there!' – Paul McCartney
While The Beatles honed their stage craft in the nightclubs of Hamburg, Klaus Voormann studied art at the city's Meisterschule, stepping in as an occasional bass player for the band. Later, Klaus would come to record on solo albums by George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr. Celebrated as a Grammy Award-winning musician and as a visual artist, Klaus is best known for his iconic Beatles Revolver and Anthology album sleeves.
For further information about Hamburg Days, the two-volume limited edition book resulting from this project by Klaus Voormann, and with photography from Astrid Kirchherr, click here.
‘From her drawer, Rosa dealt out everything one might need, including a good assortment of pills. The club owners would tell the boys, “Take one and then you can play another hour.”’ – Klaus Voormann
In order to make investing in one of our limited edition books or prints easier, we offer an interest-free option to spread the cost.
For purchases over £150, the payments are spread over three months. For example, for a purchase of £360, £122.40 would be paid today, followed by two instalments of £118.80.
Genesis will dispatch your item once the last instalment is paid.
‘The imprisonment of Paul was especially unjust. The police saw something dangerous and obscene in these musicians who screamed their souls into microphones.’ – Klaus Voormann
Edition: 125 numbered prints, signed by Klaus Voormann
Dimensions: 60cm x 42cm (24" x 16.5")
Method: Offset printed
Paper: Heavy weight matt art
Frame: White hard wood with acid free mount and UV Perspex
‘George was younger, the little one. He was very sweet, with his little tooth and the cocky songs he was singing. He was really cute and an essential part of the team.’ – Klaus Voormann
Edition: 125 numbered prints, signed by Klaus Voormann
Dimensions: 60cm x 42cm (24" x 16.5")
Method: Offset printed
Paper: Heavy weight uncoated
Frame: Black hard wood with acid free mount and UV Perspex
‘To be as young as seventeen years old, away from home for the first time, and working nights in the clubs of Hamburg. This was quite a way to grow up.’ – Klaus Voormann
Edition: 125 numbered prints, signed by Klaus Voormann
Dimensions: 60cm x 42cm (24" x 16.5")
Method: Offset printed
Paper: Heavy weight uncoated
Frame: Black hard wood with acid free mount and UV Perspex
‘The Beatles were put up by Bruno Koschmider in the back of his cinema. These living conditions were the price the band paid for making good money playing rock’n’roll.’ – Klaus Voormann
Edition: 125 numbered prints, signed by Klaus Voormann
Dimensions: 60cm x 42cm (24" x 16.5")
Method: Offset printed
Paper: Heavy weight uncoated
Frame: Black hard wood with acid free mount and UV Perspex
‘They came over and said, “Come on, Klaus, you play,” and Stuart [Sutcliffe] handed me the bass. I was too nervous to go up. I sat right in front of the stage with my back to the audience.’ – Klaus Voormann
Edition: 125 numbered prints, signed by Klaus Voormann
Dimensions: 60cm x 42cm (24" x 16.5")
Method: Offset printed
Paper: Heavy weight matt art
Frame: White hard wood with acid free mount and UV Perspex
‘Rory Storm and The Hurricanes were the first band I ever saw. The Hurricanes did swing like mad. To me, that seemed to be Ringo’s doing.’ – Klaus Voormann
Edition: 125 numbered prints, signed by Klaus Voormann
Dimensions: 60cm x 42cm (24" x 16.5")
Method: Offset printed
Paper: Heavy weight uncoated
Frame: Black hard wood with acid free mount and UV Perspex
‘Rory Storm would – in all seriousness – comb his hair non-stop for an hour. Ringo would be sat next to him and could mess around with a guitar for as long.’ – Klaus Voormann
Edition: 125 numbered prints, signed by Klaus Voormann
Dimensions: 60cm x 42cm (24" x 16.5")
Method: Offset printed
Paper: Heavy weight matt art
Frame: White hard wood with acid free mount and UV Perspex
‘This is really what it felt like to be there in the early hours of the morning. It was during one of these sessions when Stuart handed me the bass and I was asked to play with the group.’ – Klaus Voormann
Edition: 125 numbered prints, signed by Klaus Voormann
Dimensions: 60cm x 42cm (24" x 16.5")
Method: Offset printed
Paper: Heavy weight matt art
Frame: White hard wood with acid free mount and UV Perspex
‘When John sang I never got the impression that he put anything on. If he had to put the microphone in a particular position and take a certain stance, it was because he could sing best that way.’ – Klaus Voormann
Edition: 125 numbered prints, signed by Klaus Voormann
Dimensions: 60cm x 42cm (24" x 16.5")
Method: Offset printed
Paper: Heavy weight uncoated
Frame: Black hard wood with acid free mount and UV Perspex
‘I originally saw The Beatles as part of the Reeperbahn’s danger. Little by little, we realised that, sometimes, they were just as scared as we were.’ – Klaus Voormann
Edition: 125 numbered prints, signed by Klaus Voormann
Dimensions: 60cm x 42cm (24" x 16.5")
Method: Offset printed
Paper: Heavy weight uncoated
Frame: Black hard wood with acid free mount and UV Perspex
‘The Beatles often played until four, five or six in the morning. Everybody would be wound up and getting silly before the crash. Once, that crash happened to John in the middle of his breakfast. After a few minutes, he woke up swearing like mad.’ – Klaus Voormann
Edition: 125 numbered prints, signed by Klaus Voormann
Dimensions: 60cm x 42cm (24" x 16.5")
Method: Offset printed
Paper: Heavy weight matt art
Frame: White hard wood with acid free mount and UV Perspex
Offset printed onto heavyweight uncoated art paper, the Hamburg Days Portfolio is created to be treasured for decades to come.
If you wish to own the complete Hamburg Days Portfolio, please contact Genesis Publications directly to place your order and discuss the addition of a personalised archival case to house your 12 numbered and signed prints (+44 (0) 1483 540970 or info@genesis-publications.com).Select from the following copies:
Six oil paintings and six drawings of The Beatles by Klaus Voormann, published as signed limited edition prints.
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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+44 (0)1483 540970
Genesis House, 2 Jenner Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3PL, England
