It was the gear, fab, Swinging 60s all over again at a rocking Christie’s exhibition of 100 of Harry Benson’s most intimate photographs of The Beatles, timed to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Fab Four’s first trip to America. The evening, which generously benefitted the American Cancer Society, included an elegant dinner, viewing of the photos (which capture the hysteria and energy surrounding the group during their February 1964 visit), and a toast to the release of Benson’s new photography book, Once There Was a Way: Photographs of the Beatles. A signed copy of this beautiful coffee table book, which chronicles the magical mystery tour of The Beatles’ early years, was presented as a 60s love song to all attendees.

Benson focused on one celebrity photo after another, and explained his detached approach to subjects (he does not get to know anyone personally before photographing them).

Benson’s insider knowledge of Beatles lore was worth the price of admission, alone. We asked him which Beatle received the most fan mail. The unexpected answer: “Ringo!” According to fly-on-the-wall Benson, handlers regularly added letters to Paul’s mail pile to make it look bigger and keep him in high spirits.

We also caught up with Caroline Miller, editor-in-chief of the newly sold New York magazine, who told us how very happy she was that Hamptonite Bruce Wasserstein had won the bid to buy her masthead and pages. “They understand where we are and where we want to be,” she confided. “It’s an exciting time. We’ve had many meetings with them. I don’t think many heads will roll.” Yeah, yeah, yeah ....

UPDATE: Miller’s head did roll on February 12.