25 January 2006
Beatles pictures published, exhibited for first time
When photojournalist Michael Peto died in 1970 he left an extensive collection of 130,000 prints and negatives to the University of Dundee. 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, to be launched with a unique 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, steel workers and dockers - 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 copies of the book are to be published - including 350 copies signed by Beatles director Richard Lester - all handbound to Genesis Publications’ usual high standard.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Dundee University Archives:
Michael Peto Photographic Collection
The University of Dundee is the custodian and copyright owner of the entire photographic work - some 130, 000 prints and negatives - of the photo-journalist, Michael Peto.
Michael Peto was born in Bata, Hungary in 1908, and went to live in Budapest in the 1930s; his work connected with the export of Hungarian craft products instrumental in his reaching Britain. During the war he lived in London where he worked for the Ministry of Labour and zealously backed the allied war effort. As personal secretary to Count M Károlyi head of the New Democratic Hungary movement, much of his spare time was devoted to planning the establishment of a socialist Hungary after their homeland’s liberation. They did not foresee the post-war domination by the USSR.
In the early post war years Peto took up photography as a career and in 1949 started working for The Observer. Much of his work reflects his subsequent travels throughout Europe, the Middle and Far East, and India. He was awarded a bronze medal by the International Organisation of Journalists at Interpress-Foto at their 1960 meeting held in Berlin and was awarded a further bronze medal at the Budapest International Exposition of Photographic Art in 1970. Major exhibitions were held of his work in the 1960s - this is the first modern exhibition, and it will be available for touring throughout the world.
He died on Christmas Day, 1970, at the age of 62.
Peto's major interest lay in the study of the human form in its natural surroundings and there is no doubt that he was one of the supreme masters of this aspect of photographic art.
Many famous figures from the worlds of politics, art and entertainment - including C.S. Lewis and his wife Joy - are featured in his work, and some of these photographs are especially unique.
The other major aspect of his work involved the arts in the 1950s and 1960s and especially the London Ballet scene around the time of the arrival of Rudolf Nureyev.
NOW THESE DAYS ARE GONE
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL PETO
Book details:
Publisher: Genesis Publications
Publishing Dates: 26th January 2006
Limited Edition: 2500 Numbered and signed copies, including 350
deluxe editions
Order Details: www.genesis-publications.com
Tel - +44 (0)1483 540 970
Exhibition details:
27 January - 3 March 2006
To launch this remarkable collection, previously unseen Michael Peto photographs will be showcased in an exhibition at Hoopers Gallery, 15 Clerkenwell Close, London EC1 OAA from 27th January 2006. (T: 0207 490 3908). The exhibition will provide a rare opportunity to purchase limited edition prints from the collection.
For more information contact:
Roddy Isles
Head of Press
University of Dundee
Tel: 01382 384910
Email: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
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