Aphrodite statue from historic Beatles gig watched by 700 million people being auctioned

The Aphrodite statue will go on sale at the online Liverpool Beatles auction on Saturday, August 28 and is estimated to fetch between £15,000 and £20,000.

Up to 700 million people worldwide viewed the fibreglass model as the Fab Four took part in Our World, the first live global satellite broadcast on June 25 1967.

The set for the performance was dressed with colourful streamers, flowers, and balloons draped around the music stands and various bits of decor.

One of these bits of decoration was a fibreglass statue of a goddess, which can be seen behind John Lennon in the footage and several photographs from the event.

This prop later found its way into the possession of Geoff Emerick, who kept it for just over half a century until his death in 2018.

Geoff Emerick began working at EMI from the age of 16. His second day of work was the first time Ringo drummed in the studio with The Beatles.

He worked as an assistant engineer on some of the early Beatles singles before his ongoing training limited his involvement with the band.

In 1966 he became their sound engineer from the Revolver album onwards. He stopped working with them during the White Album session due to the tension in the studio but returned for the recording of Abbey Road.

In 1969 he oversaw the building of Apple Studios at 3 Savile Row.

He won Grammys for sound engineering on Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road and the Paul McCartney and Wings album Band On The Run.

Emerick was extremely close with Paul McCartney, which is reflected in some of the items, including a Christmas card signed by Sir Paul himself.

Other items released by Emerick’s estate will feature in the sale, along with Beatles memorabilia.