Byline: CATHERINE JONES
A BLACK leather jacket worn by George Harrison during the early Beatles years could fetch more than pounds 100,000 at auction.
The lead guitarist bought the jacket during the band's formative years in Hamburg and wore it on iconic photographs taken by Astrid Kirchherr in Germany and on stage during numerous early 1960s Beatles appearances. He later handed it to his elder brother Harry who then gave it to his son Paul, who wore it to school in the 1970s.
It has remained in the extended Harrison family until now.
The jacket will form one of the highlights of Bonhams' Entertainment Memorabilia sale on December 12 in London.
The auction house describes it as 'one of the most important items of Beatles clothing ever to come on to the market' and has estimated it could reach between pounds 90,000 and pounds 120,000.
Stephanie Connell, director of the Entertainment Memorabilia department, said: 'This leather jacket is instantly recognisable and was an important part of the Beatles image in their early years.
'George Harrison was one of the pioneers of this signature style, taking inspiration from his peers in Hamburg at the start of the 1960s.
'It's extremely exciting to see such an iconic part of Beatles history emerge on to the market. This fresh piece of important music memorabilia never offered at auction before is sure to garner significant interest during the sale in December.'
SALE: George leather jacket Potential buyers are set to get a sneak preview of the jacket - labelled Meyer-Schuchardt Sport und Leder Hamburg Monckebergstr 6 Lubeck Breitestr. 37, size 50, and inscribed GEO in green ink - at Bonhams in Cologne on Friday.
Other George Harrison items of clothing in the sale include a pair of black leather 'Beatle' boots, inscribed Mr George 2062 inside, and a shirt by Nudie's.
The boots have an estimate of pounds 12,000-pounds 15,000. Harrison is seen wearing identical boots during the filming of A Hard Days Night.
The bright orange Western-style shirt was worn during the Concert For Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden in New York on August 1, 1971, and is estimated at pounds 6,000-pounds 8,000.
Harrison''s Previous Beatle clothing sold at auction includes a John Lennon military jacket, which reached pounds 175,000, and white suit from the Abbey Road cover (pounds 75,000) and Ringo Starr's cape from Help! which was bought for pounds 27,000.
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SALE: George Harrison''s leather jacket
