Unseen Beatles photos exhibit in London

© University of Dundee Not to be reproduced without permission

When photojournalist Michael Peto died in 1970 his extensive collection of 130,000 prints and negatives was left to the University of Dundee by his family. Two years ago the university discovered over 500 photographs of the most influential band in history, of which only three had ever been published.

The discovery of the photographs stirred worldwide attention. Shot in 1965, the Michael Peto collection features images of John, Paul, George, and Ringo at the time of the filming of Help!, in the studio, taking tea-breaks, at press conferences and at home. Peto's images possess an unusually natural and almost 'documentary' quality, taken at a time when most official photographs of the band displayed their growing awareness of the power of their image.

Now, for the first time, Michael Peto's photographs of The Beatles have been published, in Now These Days Are Gone, a limited edition book from Genesis Publications, launched on January 26 together with an exhibition at Hooper's Gallery, London, both in association with the University of Dundee.

"Michael Peto's photographs of The Beatles give us a remarkable behind-the-scenes look at a band which was at the height of its power and fame," said Patricia Whatley, University Archivist.

"The pictures and this exhibition give us the opportunity to raise awareness of Michael Peto's significant contribution to photojournalism."

Now These Days Are Gone features examples of Peto's work as a photojournalist, positioning the lives of The Beatles within the everyday world of the Sixties - fishmongers, street children, dockers, and national and international personalities of politics, stage and screen - showing Peto to be one of the outstanding photographers of his generation.

With forewords by renowned music journalist Paolo Hewitt and Professor Jim Tomlinson, Professor of History at Dundee, as well as a timeline comparing world events and key Beatle events throughout 1965, Now These Days Are Gone provides an historical context to Michael Peto's photographs, and reflects the incredible social and cultural changes which The Beatles came to embody.

Only 2500 handbound copies of the book - which can be seen in the University Archives - are to be published, including 350 copies signed by Beatles director Richard Lester.

The book is published by Genesis Publications. Order Details: www.genesis-publications.com; +44 (0)1483 540 970

The Exhibition will run from 27 January - 3 March at Hoopers Gallery, 15 Clerkenwell Close, London. (Telephone 0207 490 3908). www.hoopersgallery.com/ Limited edition prints from the exhibition are available for purchase. For further details contact Patricia Whatley, (3) 85587, p.e.whatley@dundee.ac.uk