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Beatles' original Eleanor Rigby score up for auction

PA the scorePA
Paul McCartney's score includes notes that there should be four violins, two violas and two cellos

The original score for The Beatles' song Eleanor Rigby is expected to fetch £20,000 at auction.

It was handwritten by producer George Martin and signed by Paul McCartney, who wrote the lyrics.

Rigby's name is inscribed on a headstone in a Liverpool graveyard, where McCartney first met John Lennon at a church fete.

Deeds for the grave and a miniature Bible, dated 1899 and with her name written inside, will also be sold.

They were discovered by a relative when the estate of two of Rigby's half-sisters was left to the family.

Getty Images The Beatles and George MartinGetty Images
George Martin (second from right) produced The Beatles' hit Eleanor Rigby

Paul Fairweather, from Omega Auctions, said it was an "incredible coincidence" for both lots to come up for sale at the same time.

"I expect there to be fierce bidding from across the globe."

With its familiar refrain of "All the lonely people, where do they all come from", the song Eleanor Rigby was released as a double A-side single.

The song formed part of The Beatles' 1966 album, Revolver, and was released on the same day as the LP, alongside Yellow Submarine.

It also featured in The Beatles' film of the same name in 1969.

PA A staff member at Omega Auctions in Warrington holds a miniature bible, dated 1899 and with the initials ER (believed to stand for Eleanor Rigby) written insidePA
Eleanor Rigby's miniature bible includes the inscription "God is love"

The score, written in pencil, includes notes that the song was to be recorded in London's Abbey Road Studio number two and was to include four violins, two violas and two cellos.

The items will be on sale at the Beatles Memorabilia Auction in Warrington on 11 September.