Stunning original purple satin jacket worn by the Beatles entourage on their triumphal 1965 American tour is today worth much more than its weight in gold. Indeed, as with anything else touched by Fab Four history, whether worn, played, signed, regurgitated or sat on, the jacket carries considerable influence, as it would set the trend for the essential haute couture in roadie wear, though its simplicity is a stark contrast from the studded, star-spangled, logo and ad-covered jackets seen on roadies and other assorted hangers-on at rock concerts over the last three decades. No lips, tongues or Coca-Cola patches on this beauty. The only departure from the deep purple (good name for a rock band, isn't it?) motif are the profound words "Beatles 1965 American Tour" stitched meticulously in white satin lettering on the back. Neck, cuffs and waistband are cloth. Best of all, the jacket is in great condition, with no pilling or tears anywhere and with only traces of minor water staining and minimal fading. No size or other labels in the neck, but it appears to be around a size-40, medium-to-large. Not surprisingly, a jacket exactly like this is listed among the top ten memorabilia items on display at the Hard Rock Cafe. Beatles collectors with a faint hope of finding one for their own display cases might well describe it as a priceless artifact from what was at the time called the "North American Tour", which coincided with the group's 2nd Ed Sullivan Show appearance on August 15 and kicked off that day at Shea Stadium, running only through August 31 with other dates in Toronto, Altlanta, Houston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Portland, San Diego, LA, and San Francisco. The jacket was given new as a gift to a disc jockey in 1965, and has remained in his possesion ever since.