A handwritten letter on Apple Records stationery from Paul McCartney to legendary music critic Ralph J. Gleason (co-founder of Rolling Stone Magazine and friend of the Beatles) thanking Gleason for an article he wrote in Open City, an LA Underground newspaper. McCartney writes "Dear Ralph J. Gleason, I read your article on page two of Open City. Thank you. Paul." Also included here is a letter to Gleason (sent in the same envelope) from Apple/Beatles publicist Derek Taylor (who worked with Gleason on the Monterey Pop Festival) referring to Paul's letter, answering a question from Gleason to John Lennon, and referring to the launch of Apple Records (having number 1 and number 2 hits on the UK charts.) These letter were sent September 6, 1968. That week The Beatles were #1 with "Hey Jude" and Mary Hopkin was #2 with "Those Were The Days." From the dates and content, it is virtually certain that the article Paul refers to is about the launch of Apple Records. We know from "The Beatles Chronicle" by Mark Lewisohn that on this day Paul was at Apple participating in the making of a film with Mary Hopkin. But more important (and historically significant) this was the very day that Eric Clapton joined the Beatles in the studio, playing guitar on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Also included is the original mailing envelope, postmarked September 6 and with the "3 Saville Row, London" return address for Apple. This came directly from the archive of the late great Gleason (who died in 1975.) It has been authenticated by the world's top Beatles autograph authority, Frank Caiazzo–and Frank's letter of authenticity is included. Frank appraised the McCartney letter alone to be worth $3,000. and his appraisal letter is also included here. We're offering this for less than the value of the McCartney letter alone, but obviously Derek Taylor's letter, typed and signed by him (with McCartney, Lennon and Monterey content) adds greatly to this historic lot–as does the original envelope. A fascinating look into the history of Apple, The Beatles, and Ralph J. Gleason. Also included is a digital print out of a photo of Ralph J. Gleason with the Beatles, backstage at the final Beatles concert at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, in 1966.