Beatles Breakup Papers Up for Auction

More than 300 pages of legal documents related to the breakup of the Beatles is up for auction via Ewbanks in the U.K. Bids close Feb. 26.

Details from the listing:

300+ pages of Typescript Copy Documents, originally compiled by The Beatles advisors and legal representatives, comprising of a bundle of unbound loose sheets, many with headed titles, relating to Paul McCartneys 1970s London High Court case.

The copy documents recorded events in the courtroom, minutes of meetings held between the legal and financial representatives of all parties, and detailed the numerous factors attributed to the break-up of The Beatles prior to, during, and following McCartneys legal case when he sought a declaration to dissolve The Beatles business partnership, remove American businessman, Allen Klein (1931-2009) as manager, and sue his fellow group members and Apple Corp.

Paul McCartney disagreed very strongly with John, George, and Ringo over the appointment of Allen Klein as a replacement manager for The Beatles following Brian Epsteins death in 1967, and due to Kleins lack of financial management, Paul McCartney had employed his own accountants who, with the legal representatives, had begun to uncover a trail of confusion and lack of accountability on the part of the groups management to date.

Included within the bundle of copy documents are:

A nine-page copy of the original 1967 Deed of Partnership between The Beatles Limited of 23 Albemarle Street, London, with facsimile signatures of the four Beatles to pages 8-9, noted in a later document as the first written instrument of partnership there had been.
Copies of Writs issued to John Ono Lennon of Tittenhurst Park, Ascot, (sued as John Winston Lennon, now at The Regency Hotel, New York, USA), George Harrison of Friar Park, Henley-On Thames, Richard Starkey of Round Hill. Highgate, London, and Apple Corps of 3 Savile Row, London, W1.
Copies of Minutes of Meetings recorded by the representing lawyers and advisors as they unravelled the complex affairs of The Beatles, detailed many questions the legal teams raised during the numerous meetings such as, Matters decided at Meetings in Cannes 21-22 July, 1971, Who was paying for Apple Studios, Maclen or Apple Records? The original contract was for Maclen to pay for the first studio when Paul and John were most likely to use it . . . Now there are two studios . . . Paul knows nothing of the new one.
ABKO Industries Inc. Meeting at 3 Saville Row, 22April 1971, noted by one of the representatives as a tense and heated atmosphere when discussions included suggestions that George Harrison sell out his interest in Apple and Paul McCartney be expelled from the partnership . . . Between 3 and 4pm. The three Beatles, Howard and Klein returned to Savile Row . . . They were very depressed . . . .
Draft Order, 26 January 1971, stated Mr. Klein must deal chronologically with his introduction to the Beatles in Jan/Feb 1969 . . . give a full record of all sums received by ABKO or himself in respect of the Beatles and explain ways in which McCartney has benefitted from his intervention.
The complex challenges the legal representatives discussed and noted also included, 'When Pete Best left the group and Ringo Starr joined, why was a written agreement not recorded or filed?,
'What steps could be made to entangle The Beatles Limited and the individual group members past and future tax liabilities, and their royalties for film and music rights?.
How to approach Ringo Starrs disagreements pertaining to The White Album?
How were they going to manage the growing tensions and disputes between The Beatles over film rights and clips used for Hey Jude, Revolution, and Magical Mystery Tour?.
Paul McCartneys dispute relating to the film and record release of Let It Be, and most worrying of all to the lawyers at the time, the chronic failure of Allen Klein and his company ABKCO Music and Records Inc. to produce accounts going back to 1966, now being demanded by the Inland Revenue.
Comments recorded in the minutes of meetings included, It would be almost impossible to exaggerate the actual complexity of the various legal arrangements which have been entered into by Messrs. Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starkey . . . Even if the four Beatles were not again to perform as a group, it is not accurate to state that the whole purpose of the partnership has disappeared . . .The question is where is the money?

A fascinating first-hand account of the legal challenges each of The Beatles faced after the death of their manager Brian Epstein in 1967.