Item Report
1964 Beatles Tin Lithograph Serving Tray
By: Authorized manufacturer, likely 'NEMS Enterprises Ltd.' or 'Gadget Plastics, Inc.' (based on period licensing)
Style: Midcentury Pop Culture Collectible, Beatles Memorabilia
Origin: United States
Materials: Lithographed tinplate metal
Age: Circa 1964
Condition: Good (noticeable scratches, surface rust, and discoloration—typical for age, but not mint)
Value: $40–$90 USD (auction estimate; condition dependent)
Maker's Marks / Writing: Facsimile signatures of the four Beatles. Small type below George Harrison’s portrait is typical of licensed period trays (text is obscured in photo, but likely denotes licensing info).
Date: 2025-06-18 07:53:34.899769
Description:
A vintage tin lithograph serving tray from 1964 featuring illustrated portraits of The Beatles members (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr), along with facsimile signatures of each member. The tray is decorated with colorful stars and musical notes along the border, reflecting pop culture and Beatles memorabilia trends of the early 1960s. Produced in the United States as an officially licensed piece of merchandise during Beatlemania.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A classic Beatles collector’s item that captures the explosion of Beatlemania. This tray is sought-after by music and pop culture collectors. Its value depends heavily on condition—clean, rust-free examples bring premiums. This particular tray shows some surface rust, scratches, and wear, reducing value but still retaining appeal to entry-level collectors.
Individual Images:
- This primary image shows the front of the tray with immediately visible wear: scratches
- scuffs
- and paint loss
- particularly on the upper and lower edges
- and there are areas of surface rust
- especially along the rim. There are no detail shots of the back
- corners
- or any maker mark
- though faint text below George Harrison’s portrait hints at manufacturer details.
Provenance:
No provenance documents provided.
Condition:
Good (noticeable scratches, surface rust, and discoloration—typical for age, but not mint)
Identification Score: 98%
The distinctive portraits, facsimile autographs, and design elements unequivocally identify this as a 1964 Beatles lithograph tray. The piece matches widely known and catalogued examples.
Authenticity Score: 90%
The wear pattern, construction, and graphics are in keeping with original 1960s merchandise. While not impossible to reproduce, telltale signs of age and oxidation suggest authenticity. Condition issues do not affect original manufacture.
Image Memory Note
Tin Beatles trays from 1964 are iconic memorabilia pieces. Look for further provenance, reverse view, and close-ups of underside or hallmark if required.
Keywords
Beatles, 1964, tin lithograph, serving tray, pop memorabilia, Beatles collectible, United States, music memorabilia, vintage tray, Beatlemania
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