AN interesting set of 160 photographic prints of British and overseas views and portraiture overshadowed some Beatles memorabilia at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s first quarterly collectors’ sale of the year.

There had been much pre-sale interest in The Beatles autographs, which had been scribbled on a menu from The Castle Hotel, Taunton, when “The Fab Four” played at The Gaumont in the town in 1963. The head waiter of the hotel had obtained them for the vendor, who was a family friend.

A delighted room bidder at The Octagon Salerooms, East Reach, Taunton, bought this special memento for £1,235 and also secured a set of other autographs by Cliff Richard, The Shadows and Helen Shapiro.

This impressive sum was dwarfed by the actions of a room bidder. He paid £7,400 for the photographs, which were held in a half-leather-bound album – the top price of the day.

There was plenty of variety in this eclectic sale, which was put together by collectables enthusiast and expert Dr Peter Rixon.

A Second World War Japanese Naval officer’s sword or katana was another excellent performer. The sword had been surrendered to Major Eric Wingate by the Commander of the Nippon Kiagun – Imperial Japanese Navy in Indonesia at the end of hostilities. It was bought for £2,200.

The same figure was achieved for a collection of travel sketchbooks from the late 19th Century recording journeys throughout Europe including Athens, Italy and Spain.

A scratch-built model of an RNLI 41ft Watson, twin screw motor lifeboat, sold for £1,810 to a room bidder.

The next stand-alone collectors’ sale takes place on Friday, June 5, but regular collectors sections are held in each month at the antiques sale. To consign items or for more information please contact the salerooms on 01823 332525.