Limited Edition 'Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite' Letterpress Print
£220.00
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“Simply Stunning”… Featured in Rolling Stone, and receiving worldwide acclaim, Paul McCartney himself owns a print from this edition. Painstakingly recreated using the same Victorian methods that were used to create John Lennon’s original, this poster features specially commissioned wood engravings from renowned engraver Andy English and each copy is letterpress printed by hand and numbered individually.
This is a recreation of the poster that inspired John Lennon and Paul McCartney to write the song Being for the benefit of Mr. Kite!, which appeared on The Beatles' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It is printed in a limited edition of 1,967.
Lennon bought the poster in an antiques shop and hung it in his music room. While writing for Sgt. Pepper one day, he and Paul McCartney drew inspiration from the quirky, old-fashioned language and set the words to music. Most of the song's lyrics came straight from this old circus poster!
Every effort has been made to be true to the original poster and it is printed using the same methods that would have been used in 1843.
This is not only a beautiful letterpress print in its own right, but a unique and fascinating item of Beatles memorabilia. Properly cared-for, it should last even longer than John Lennon's original and it's the perfect gift for a Beatles fan.
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Medium
Letterpress print, with two wood-engravings.
Dimensions
The overall dimensions are approximately: 273mm (10.75") x 494mm (19.5"). These measurements include an unprinted 'margin' of approximately 25mm (1") around all sides of the printed area. Paper is cut by hand, so some small variance should be expected.
Substrate
It is printed on 225gsm Zerkall 902 Rough. This is heavy, archival-quality paper that is superbly suited to letterpress printing. Please note that the images on this page may not accurately show the colour of the paper, which could be described as off-white or very pale cream.
Poster Text
The Poster Reads as follows:
PABLO FANQUE'S CIRCUS ROYAL,
TOWN-MEADOWS, ROCHDALE.
Grandest Night of the Season!
AND POSITIVELY THE
LAST NIGHT BUT THREE!
BEING FOR THE
BENEFIT OF MR. KITE,
(LATE OF WELLS'S CIRCUS) AND
MR. J. HENDERSON,
THE CELEBRATED SOMERSET THROWER!
WIRE DANCER, VAULTER, RIDER, &c.
On TUESDAY Evening, February 14th, 1843.
Messrs. KITE & HENDERSON, in announcing the following Entertainments, assure the Public that this Night's Production will be one of the most splendid ever produced in this town, having been some days in preparation.
Mr. KITE will, for this night only, introduce the
CELEBRATED
HORSE, ZANTHUS!
Well known to be one of the best Broke Horses
IN THE WORLD!!!
Mr. HENDERSON will undertake the arduous Task of
THROWING TWENTY-ONE SOMERSETS,
ON THE SOLID GROUND.
Mr. KITE will appear, for the first time this season,
On the Tight Rope,
When Two Gentlemen Amateurs of this Town will
perform with him.
Mr. HENDERSON will, for the first time in Rochdale,
introduce his extraordinary
TRAMPOLINE LEAPS
AND
SOMERSETS!
Over Men & Horses, through Hoops, over Garters,
and lastly through a Hogshead of REAL FIRE!
In this branch of the profession Mr. H challenges
THE WORLD!
For particulars see Bills of the day.
JONES & CROSSKILL, PRINTERS AND BOOKSELLERS, YORKSHIRE STREET, ROCHDALE. -
Please select the 'Framed' option above. Prints are framed to archival standards on a per-order basis by a Guild Commended UK framer. The price for a framed print includes tracked shipping to your location, anywhere in the world. Full details about framed prints are at the bottom of this page.
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For a limited time, shipping to all destinations is free.
We take great care with packaging to help ensure that your print reaches you in excellent condition. Prints are wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and shipped in large-diameter, thick-walled tubes with secured end caps.
We ship worldwide, using the Royal Mail's Special Delivery service (for UK orders) and International Signed For services (for all other orders). Depending on the destination, orders for multiple prints may arrive in multiple packages.
UK orders are usually delivered within two working days. International orders are normally delivered within 5–10 working days.
Customers in the EU may have to pay a small amount of import duty to receive packages sent from the UK.
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"The finished product is a gorgeous piece of work, worthy of its status as the unlikely object that inspired a pop-music masterpiece." Fast Company Design
"One man set out to recreate the original using the traditional techniques of wood engraving and letterpress printing. The results are stunning." Gizmodo
"I just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the print I just received...it is simply stunning. Magnificent job all around, and I will treasure it always." Buyer
"The framed print arrived yesterday. Wow!!! Fantastic, absolutely fantastic. The print looks great and the framing is the icing on the cake. Congratulations on a job very well done." Buyer
"Package arrived today and the print is in perfect shape. The idea to reproduce this poster was inspired, and it was executed perfectly." Buyer
"Just want to let you know - I received my wonderful print which was a delicious feast for the eyes … your team did a great job with the details of the reproduction." Buyer
"I have just received my framed print and would just like to tell you how wonderful it is. I have wanted a Kite poster for years. Thank you for your dedication, the result is truly stunning." Buyer
"It arrived yesterday and it is spectacular. Everything I had hoped for." Buyer
See more on our Feedback page.
Paul McCartney owns a print from this edition
Not too long ago we delivered one of these prints to Sir Paul McCartney’s London office and it’s fair to say that we were highly excited about the prospect of Paul – who wrote the song with fellow Beatle John Lennon – owning a copy of our print.
We weren’t exactly expecting to hear back from him, but…
…a few weeks later, an email arrived from Sir Paul’s PA to thank us for the delivery and to say that Paul loves the print! We’re thrilled to have sent him a print and even happier that he likes it so much.
Paul McCartney is joined by other high-profile names who now have one of our Mr Kite posters on their wall. Others include famous musicians, actors, authors and film directors from around the world.
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Museum-quality: A print from this edition is now in the world’s leading museum of art and design
This limited edition print was created by artist Peter Dean over a period of almost a year, with assistance from the letterpress experts at New North Press and the incredible talents of wood engraver Andy English. Everyone involved contributed well-honed skills and painstaking attention to detail. Right from the start, we made an effort to create the print to museum standards.
For every single print, a sheet of mould-made, archival-quality paper is cut to size and dampened prior to printing. The wooden and metal type, as well as the wood engravings, are then inked by hand – a process also done separately for every print. Every single print in this limited edition is then hand-pulled on a vintage Albion press. After drying, prints are numbered by hand, in pencil at the lower right in the form #/1967. Each print also comes with a hand-signed certificate of authenticity.
Shortly after this print went on sale, London’s prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum added a copy from this edition to their permanent collection.
Back to topFramed prints
Our framing service for the limited edition Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite print presents the poster beautifully. The same care and attention-to-detail that went into making the print goes into the framing process. Prints are framed professionally, to order, by a Guild Commended Framer using archival-quality materials and usually ship within 7 working days.
The frame is made from hardwood and has a smooth black finish and an inner bezel. The deep mount (or 'matt') is the same colour as the paper that the poster is printed on and allows for approximately 12mm space around the black printed border in the poster.
Frames are sealed on the back to prevent dust from entering. D-ring attachments and hanging cord are also fitted, so the print will arrive ready to hang.
High-quality acrylic is used in place of glass for all shipped orders. It is visibly identical, but should not be cleaned or polished with abrasives.
The price includes shipping, so no additional charge will be added at checkout. We package framed prints carefully to protect them from damage during shipping. Framed prints are shipped via Parcelforce.
Dimensions
The overall dimensions of the frame are: Width = 363mm, Height = 595mm, Depth = 27mm.
The black wooden frame itself is 23mm wide all around. The visible part of the mount (or 'matt') is c. 37mm wide all around.
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Feedback
Since our reproduction of the poster, we have received many amazing messages from friendly people all over the world. If you have something to contribute, feel free to contact us with your message.
Thanks for the follow-up-- I just got it today! Print looks amazing & the coworkers are jealous-- mission accomplished!
I have received a print and had it now framed. I am a huge Beatles fan, too and I also always wanted to have a copy of that poster and was also not satisfied with the so-called replicas you find elsewhere. This is the real thing. Peter, thank you very much for making this reality!
Package arrived today and the print is in perfect shape. The idea to reproduce this poster was inspired, and it was executed perfectly.
My print was received, it's beautiful. Thanks!
I cannot tell you how much this is a major beatlemaniac fan dream coming true for me to have this poster
The print has already arrived so thanks for the speedy delivery. It really is quite magnificent and better than I could have hoped for so thanks a million, I'm chuffed!
I received the poster last Wednesday in wonderful condition. I am very happy with the details and quality. Thanks!
Your recreation of Lennon’s poster is a fascinating project – you must be delighted with the spectacular end result!
The framed print arrived yesterday. Wow!!! Fantastic, absolutely fantastic. The print looks great and the framing is the icing on the cake. Congratulations on a job very well done. I wish you all the best of success.
Amidst all the chaos in the wake of the storm here in NYC, the Kite print is a refreshing ray of light, and it makes me smile.
First of all I want to say, to you and your friends, BRAVO. What a such beautiful idea!
Just a short note of thanks … I'm really pleased to get the print
Beatles fanatic recreates circus poster that inspired John Lennon's For the Benefit of Mr Kite! I WANT ONE
The recreation of Mr. Kite. Incredible.
(Today's most beautiful story) the recreation of the circus poster that inspired 'Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite
Caramba! Quanta paixão, cara.
Whaaaat. This is awesome.
The story goes that when John Lennon wrote the song “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!” from album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, he found inspiration in an ad heavy Victorian circus poster. Well when Beatles fanatic Peter Dean found this out he wanted a copy of that flyer for himself, however all he could find were less-than-suitable reproductions. So in true artist form, Dean created his own version in all of its glorious pain-staking detail.
I could be more creative if I had this on my wall: 'Being for the benefit of Mr Kite' letterpress print
Amazing! Man recreates 1843 handbill poster that inspired John Lennon to write “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
The Victorian poster that inspired the Beatles song Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite has been reincarnated thanks to a stunning new letterpress project
Bless curiosity and obsession that creates gems like this:
Thank you very much for your craftsmanship in creating this piece!
This looks amazing
I LOVE that there is an edition of 1967!
What a fantastic idea. Beautiful film, superb print. Very impressive
Thank you for the beautiful work
This is the story of one dedicated fan’s attempt to painstakingly recreate that famous poster. (Hint: It wasn’t as easy as grabbing a few Sharpies.)
I just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the print I just received...it is simply stunning. Magnificent job all around, and I will treasure it always.
John Lennon wrote "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" in 1967, but most of the fanciful lyrics were actually written in 1843. You see, Lennon didn't pull them out of a drug-induced hallucination—he pulled them off a 19th-century poster advertising the Pablo Fanque Circus. The story's actually fairly well known, but there are only a few existing photographs of the poster out there. Here's how one man set out to recreate the original using the traditional techniques of wood engraving and letterpress printing. The results are stunning.
My print arrived in fine shape and fashion, safe within its industrial strength mailing tube, enshrouded ever-so-carefully by its delicate packaging papers. It will soon be framed and hung in my music nook, taking its place alongside a handful of other Sixties era pieces; they're all the "real thing," but your beautifully crafted reproduction will be the crown jewel in my small collection.
I am captivated by the remarkable degree of dedication to craft shown here. What an inspiration.
The print arrived yesterday and I must say I am thrilled. It is perfect, just perfect. As a lifelong Beatles fan, it feels like I now have a piece of John Lennon's legacy in my house, or at least something very close. Did I say the print was a gift for my husband? Yeah, that's right, that's my story and I am sticking to it! ;-) Many, many thanks for following your crazy dream of recreating the Kite print using original techniques. I totally get it and feel very privileged to own a copy
The 50th anniversary of The Beatles' release of 'Love Me Do' threw up a slew of tributes. Our favourite was by designer Peter Dean, who lovingly recreated the 1843 circus poster that inspired John Lennon to write 'Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite!' on the seminal Sgt. Pepper album.
The finished product is a gorgeous piece of work, worthy of its status as the unlikely object that inspired a pop-music masterpiece.
I received my poster today and I'm thrilled to pieces. People were oooing and aaahing it all day at work. I must have shown your video about 20 times to demonstrate the extent of the labor of love that you have created. I will enjoy looking at this every day of my life.
In the context of British music this is perhaps one of the most significant pieces of art to inspire one of the countries most celebrated musicians of all time. It’s rather fitting that Peter has gone to such lengths to recreate its original aesthetic and feel, in doing so he has also highlighted the importance of these age old crafts, and their ability to out perform their digital counter parts.
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