A metal travel trunk previously owned by Brian Jones which contains approximately 2000 to 3000 letters sent by Rolling Stones fans around the world to Brian in the summer of 1964. There are various travel related stickers attached to the metal case.

Brian Jones was the founder member of the Rolling Stones. Bill Wyman, interviewed in 2019. ‘Brian was the person that created the Rolling Stones in the beginning. He chose the music. He chose the name. He was the leader’.

Not only was Brian the most musically accomplished member of the Rolling Stones, in the early days he was by far the most popular, particularly with the group’s girl fans. Brian was always immaculately turned out and perfectly coiffed, this together with his softly, well spoken way and his androgynous looks made up his not insignificant appeal to the Stones female following. This amazing collection of fan letters found in an attic in a house Brian shared with his then girlfriend Linda Laurence is testament to the immense popularity of Brian Jones.

The letters were sent to Brian from all over the world, many of the envelopes are addressed to the secretary of the Rolling Stones Fan Club Annabelle Smith at 93-97 Regent Street, London. But most of them came from either the UK or from America. Many letters from the States were in response to the Stones appearance on the Hollywood Palace Show. The vast bulk of the written correspondence came from female fans, as may be expected. However, there is the odd one from a male fan usually relating to their own group or their musical aspirations.

There are multi-signed letters (from Janet in Glamorgan and her 39 friends), letters that fizz with the Stones – Beatles rivalry, ultra passionate letters – an anonymous letter one containing 5,268 kisses “..if you have one each day they will last 14 years 5 months and will last until September 21st 1978 and you’ll be 34”.

American fans were more expressive than there British counterparts. Terri Gail from San Francisco wrote:

“Oh Brian, I have to admit I have fallen in love with you! Yep, you and Mick. But I think you’re a bit cuter. I guess it’s your hair mmm! The longer the better. That’s why I dropped the Beatles for you…”.

Many of the letters are inquisitive asking Brian about his likes and dislikes etc. For example, Sally Provost in a typed letter written from New York on 30th June 1964 asks around 20 different questions:

“Who is the youngest in the group? Is Andrew Oldham’s dog really named Genius? Do you ever write a song? I tried but it didn’t work…Who plays harmonica on ‘Now I’ve got a Witness’?"

And then you get the fan who asks deeply serious questions. Frank Warren writing on Crewkerne School headed paper on Monday 15th June asks:

“Dear Brian, a girlfriend of mine told me that at a recent performance of yours you were seen with numerous pin pricks in your arms, and that it was understood that you were in the habit of taking injected drugs before performances. Is this true? Please could you reply as I have got to know.

Fans are sometimes indignant, Jaye writes:

"Dear Brian, Please call me up this Saturday, tomorrow, June 13 at 10:00 in the night. I waited all day for you, and was very disappointed when you didn't come. My telephone number is St 65362. Ask for Jaye. I will be waiting for your call. I'm very anxious to talk to you. Love, Jaye"

Now and then Brian received the odd nasty letter. Liz from Chicago wrote:

“Rolling Stones, (ugh!) We read about you in the Chicago Daily News and just had to write to you and say that we think you are the most piggish, uncouth, Neanderthalic, repulsive, odourous, mannerless, unfab, ungear, thick people we have ever seen. ‘Our Men’ the Beatles, of course, would never pick their noses + belch in public, like you did while in a Chicago Hotel Restaurant! Not even to mention the way you sing. (yukky) And we hate you ‘til you die. Where did you grow up? In the zoo with your fellow apes.”

And then you come across a crazy one. Barbara from Newcastle-under-Lyme, wrote on the 18th March 1964:

“Dear Brian, what have you done to me? I saw you at the Gaumont Hanley and ever since then (21st Feb 1964) all I seem to dream about is you. Last night I dreampt (sic) about your socks. The night before, your harmonica. The night before that, your hair. I can understand the other things but why your socks?” Yep, she was a real crazy one.

The length of the letters is one of the outstanding features of the collection, they were regularly 4, 5 and 6 pages long. The longest letter we found in the collection is 18 pages long in which Nicola from Worcester professes her undying love for Brian. She ends by saying “Oh Brian, what were double beds made for??!!!! I’d better sign off now before I get too worked up, but I know I won’t go to sleep”. Included in the same envelope is a 6 pager from Nicola’s mate Kath, again professing undying love but this time to Brian’s bandmate, Keith Richards.

The effect Brian had on his teenage fans was incredible. Gloria from California wrote:

“My girlfriend thinks I have finally flipped my wig. When you came along I just through (sic) my old dull boyfriend out the door”.

Whilst many of the letter writers are asking for information about the Stones Fan Club or are requesting autographs or a lock of Brian’s hair, an equal number show a strong genuine interest in all things Stones:

Their concerts: “We write this letter trembling from head to toe, and with tears in our eyes after seeing you at Willenhall baths, and the Gaumont, Wolverhampton, for we have not yet recovered from a severe attack of ‘STONE’ itis.” (Jean Walters, Rosemary Wood and Linda Haynes, Staffs).

Their records: “The first time I heard of you was when radio station KRLA played ‘Not Fade Away’ as their predicted hit of the week. I just loved it and rushed on down to the music store.” (Lisa,California.)

Their style: “I like the Stones because of their wild delivery. The music really tears its way into your soul and SOUL and SOUND unite and become one – WILD! Also the fact that you don’t conform. You have a style all your OWN! (Ann Nalkenstine from Detroit.)

One of the most striking features of this collection of correspondence is the sheer number of letters it includes from American fans. They show the tremendous impact that The Rolling Stones first visit to the USA in June 1964 had on American teenagers. Correspondents wax lyrical about the group’s TV appearances in the States and about the live performances particularly the Carnegie Hall gig. Regina from East Meadow, New York has a good story to tell: “Do you recall on June 20, 1964 at Carnegie Hall, New York – I was wearing a pink dress and I threw a brown leather cap at you? You caught it and put it on! Well – after the show – WHAT A SHOW! – I got it back! The police had to carry me out – I cracked up!”

This collection of letters, preserved by Brian Jones, gives a powerful insight into the effect of The Rolling Stones and their music on British and American teenagers. In particular, it highlights the effect that the ‘British Invasion’, started by The Beatles in February 1964 and given great impetus by the Stones visit in June later that year, had in waking up the youth of America to the emerging music of the British beat groups.

A supremely interesting and entertaining collection of correspondence that would make a great book.

The travel case measures 73.75cm x 43.5cm x 22cm (29 inches x 17.1 inches x 8.6 inches). The condition of the letters is very good. The condition of the trunk is good.

Provenance: the trunk was left behind in a house on Loddon Bridge Road, Woodley Near Reading which was shared by Brian Jones and his then girlfriend Linda Lawrence in the sixties.