POSTCARDS FROM THE BOYS

By Ringo Starr

Ringo found a shoebox that he'd never really lost. Inside were the Postcards he'd received over the years from John (Lennon), Paul (McCartney) and George (Harrison). So he suggested to Brian Roylance that they would make a fine book and that the author's royalties should go to the Lotus Foundation, a charitable organisation which makes donations to a variety of worthy causes. Brian agreed - what publisher with all marbles intact wouldn't agree to a book proposal from a former Beatle? A few weeks later at the rehearsals for Concert For George, Ringo reminded Brian 'where's my book?' And so it all began.

The postcards were selected and Ringo narrated his text relating the goings on in his life when each card was received, and explaining the meanings behind them - where known. Ringo like his fellow moptop George was easy to work with, a real pleasure, and the production progressed free of a hiccup. The sheets to be autographed for binding into each book were sent to him while he toured the USA with his All Star Band. And promptly, in batches, the signed sheets came back. Are you reading fellow drummer with regal name?

The first copies of the limited edition appeared just before Christmas in 2003 and from then on our binders in Milan worked tirelessly to fulfill the huge swell of orders. Customers waited patiently. 2,500 numbered and signed copies were handmade and supplied in a bright red metal postbox which sounds tacky but looks great. Copies numbered 1 to 350 were Deluxe books bound in red leather and supplied with an extra signed print. They were all reserved within days. The price was £495.

The rest of the edition were termed Regular copies and bound in brown Nubuk. They too came in a red postbox. All 2,500 copies in the edition were supplied with an envelope of postcards and specially prepared stamps. The Regular copies were sold at £295. They too were taken up quickly. Auction prices are soaring.

Shortly after publication we initiated a postcard competition and received a load of wonderful entries - creative, exotic and downright strange. The winner chosen by Ringo was Michael Ross from New Jersey.

massmarket hardback

massmarket paperback

A year later the massmarket hardback edition translated into several languages appeared. Aided by some colourful interviews with Ringo, notably on the Jonathan Ross show, the book sold well in all territories and rose to number 7 in the UK on The Times Bestseller list. And a lot more people became aware of the first limited edition which they hadn't got. And now, the paperback is on the shelves, and in total a large sum has been raised for the Lotus Foundation. Thank heavens for matchboxes and shoeboxes and postcards of course. Keep sending them.