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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 of John Lennon.