A typed letter on NEMS stationery dated 10th February 1962 and sent from Brian Epstein to Dick Rowe in the Decca Offices. This letter offers confirmation that Brian Epstein himself refused a subsequent offer (following the audition and initial rejection) from Decca to help press records featuring the Beatles, with Epstein stating 'whilst i appreciate the offer of Mr. Meehan's services I have now decided not to accept' and then 'The principal reason for this change of mind is that since i saw you last the Group have received an offer of a recording Contract from another Company'.

The Beatles would sign with Parlophone following a meeting between Epstein and George Martin on 13th February, three days after the sending of this telegram, so Epstein's claim of another offer of a recording contract was untrue and likely the result of a wounded pride following the initial Decca rejection.

It is highly likely that if Epstein had not sent this letter rejecting Decca's offer, that the band we know as The Beatles may not have gone on to have the success that they did.

The letter is from the collection of Colin Borland, a sales and marketing manager at Decca, who had met with Epstein in December of 1961 which resulted in a Decca rep travelling to Liverpool to listen to the band. Offered as further provenance: two business cards, three black and white photographs of Colin Borland at various Decca events/conferences, scanned extracts from Colin Borland's diary summaries in which he notes meetings with Epstein, as well as scanned extracts from Alan Bradley's 'For No One' detailing some of the events documented above, notably the initial meeting and letter of rejection.

The letter measures 20 x 25cm and is in good condition.