A new display of photographs by Ringo Starr are to go on display at the National Portrait Gallery it has been announced today.

Coinciding with the release of the book Photograph by Ringo Starr on the 21st September, this display will open his personal archives to gallery visitors for the very first time.

The display is open to the public from today and will give visitors an unprecedented insight into the life of one of the greatest musicians from one one of the greatest British bands of all time. These rare and unseen photographs taken by Ringo Starr charts his childhood, The Beatles and his travels.

Talking about the photographs, Ringo Starr said: “These are shots that noone else could have taken. Together they chart the story of four lads from Liverpool trying to live normal lives amidst the frenzy that surrounded them. I have always loved taking photos. All the Beatles had cameras – I think we bought a whole load on our first tour of Japan – but I’d been snapping away for a while before that. We always had a real photographer around us, like Dezo Hoffman and Bob Freeman who took a lot of photos of The Beatles for our album covers. But I took pictures of them photographing us – and I had a unique perspective of that incredible period of our lives.”

Twenty portraits can also be purchased, each one as part of a limited edition of 25 for £1,900 (including VAT) framed. The limited edition prints are displayed in the gallery’s print sales gallery and bookshop gallery from today (9th September) for a minimum of four weeks and may be purchased (subject to availability) online or in person.

Visitors will also be able to buy copies of Ringo Starr’s book exclusively two weeks before its official publication at the gallery.