Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite: the poster that inspired The Beatles
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Welcome to Kite. We create fascinating, exclusive art prints in open and limited editions
Starting with our famous reproduction of John Lennon’s Victorian circus poster that inspired The Beatles’ Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite!, we go to extraordinary lengths to produce beautiful, museum-quality art that lasts a lifetime.
From our studio in London, England we ship prints all over the world and the people who buy our work love what we make.
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite: A Limited Edition Print
In 1967 John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote a song called Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! for the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band!. The inspiration – and many of the lyrics – came from a letterpress-printed circus poster from 1843 that Lennon had bought in an antiques shop.
We have lovingly recreated that poster, using antique wooden and metal type as well as specially-commissioned wood engravings. Every print is hand-pulled on a Victorian press and individually numbered.
See the printStephen Hawking's Time Travellers Invitation
Professor Stephen Hawking devised an ingeniously simple experiment to determine whether time travel into the past was possible. The success of the experiment entirely depends on his invitation being seen by time travellers.
To tie in with this experiment, and with Professor Hawking's approval, we have created this poster printed in two letterpress limited editions and an open edition. It was meticulously assembled using antique wooden and metal type. Purchasing this print may help to prove that time travel is possible!
See the print
Celebrating Leonardo da Vinci on his birthday
Leonardo da Vinci was born on 14 April 1452, in the town of Vinci, Italy. This legendary artist, visionary, and thinker has left a mark on the world that transcends the boundary of time.
Remembering George Harrison on his birthday
Today, on what would have been George Harrison’s 82nd birthday, we’re taking a moment to celebrate one of the most influential artists of all time.
It was 58 years ago today…
Here at Kite, Beatles history is one of our interests. We’ve covered everything from the band’s inception to its breakup, but there’s one Beatles moment we’ll never forget.
A Beatles-themed festive playlist
Picture the scene: the fire is crackling, your living room is warm and cosy (maybe there’s even a Mr. Kite print on the wall?) and Christmas is almost here. It’s time to put on some festive tunes, and where better to start than with a Beatles-themes festive playlist?
