From a remarkable set of period scrapbooks compiled by devoted Beatles enthusiast Susan Houghton, featuring an extensive array of memorabilia, sheet music, press clippings, and ephemera—primarily centred around George Harrison. The collection includes material sourced from national newspapers, music publications, and numerous extracts from Mersey Beat.
Susan was well-known for her dedication to George, often writing to his mother, Mrs Louise Harrison, to request personal keepsakes. One of the scrapbooks contains particularly unusual items: a Gibson guitar string packet that once held one of George’s strings, a fragment of toilet paper from his home, a piece of his vest, a toffee wrapper given to Susan by Mrs Harrison, and even photographs taken from television broadcasts.
George’s mother affectionately referred to Susan as his “number one fan”. Alongside three close friends, she regularly attended Beatles performances at Liverpool’s Cavern Club—the group dubbed themselves The Cement Mixers. In December 1962, while George was away in Hamburg, Susan visited Mrs Harrison and began a friendship that would last for many years.
Over time, some of the cuttings—many originating from Mersey Beat—have become loose from the pages, though the overall condition remains good. Each scrapbook measures approximately 20.5 cm by 16.5 cm.
Provenance: From the collection of Susan Houghton. Previously sold by Christie’s, South Kensington, London, in their Entertainment Sale on 29 August 1991.
From a remarkable set of period scrapbooks compiled by devoted Beatles enthusiast Susan Houghton, featuring an extensive array of memorabilia, sheet music, press clippings, and ephemera—primarily centred around George Harrison. The collection includes material sourced from national newspapers, music publications, and numerous extracts from Mersey Beat.
Susan was well-known for her dedication to George, often writing to his mother, Mrs Louise Harrison, to request personal keepsakes. One of the scrapbooks contains particularly unusual items: a Gibson guitar string packet that once held one of George’s strings, a fragment of toilet paper from his home, a piece of his vest, a toffee wrapper given to Susan by Mrs Harrison, and even photographs taken from television broadcasts.
George’s mother affectionately referred to Susan as his “number one fan”. Alongside three close friends, she regularly attended Beatles performances at Liverpool’s Cavern Club—the group dubbed themselves The Cement Mixers. In December 1962, while George was away in Hamburg, Susan visited Mrs Harrison and began a friendship that would last for many years.
Over time, some of the cuttings—many originating from Mersey Beat—have become loose from the pages, though the overall condition remains good. Each scrapbook measures approximately 20.5 cm by 16.5 cm.
Provenance: From the collection of Susan Houghton. Previously sold by Christie’s, South Kensington, London, in their Entertainment Sale on 29 August 1991.
