An archive of photographs showing the Beatles on holiday in Tenerife in 1963 is valued in excess of $10,000 ahead of a sale at Heritage Auctions in Dallas on December 6.

Astrid Kirchherr, a photographer who met the band during their time in Hamburg in 1960, and who was twice engaged to the band's former bass player Stuart Sutcliffe, accompanied them on the trip.

The Beatles went on holiday to Tenerife in 1963

They were riding high on the success of their second single, Please Please Me, and had spent the past year on a breakneck touring and recording schedule.

Heritage comments: "These rarely seen photos from Tenerife show the three Beatles and Astrid relaxing by a swimming pool near the ocean, free from the pressures of Beatlemania that had recently been unleashed at home.

"Taken with Astrid's portable Rolleicord camera in glorious color, the candid images preserve an amazing moment in time in the Beatles story - one that they may not be aware of themselves - as it may be one of the last times they were free to be in public and not be recognized.

"The first taste of fame has been experienced, and there will be no going back, ever."

The sale will also feature a stunning Batmobile built for a 1963 promotional tour.

We have an incredible selection of Beatles memorabilia available, click here to take a look.

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