For one French Beatles fan, collecting band memorabilia has become a way of life — and now he's hoping to use it as a nest egg for his golden years.

The Observer reports that next March, Jacques Volcouve is set to sell "15,000 records, signed books, posters, autographs, figurines and memorabilia" from the collection he's spent 50 years building. For Volcouve, who's become known as one of the foremost Beatles experts in the field, it'll mean divesting himself of his life's work — but after spending all these years devoted to the band and its history, he's in need of some financial security.

"I don’t want to sound bitter but I gave my life to them and I’ve never had any recognition or help, not even a free ticket to a concert," Volcouve told the paper, explaining that he had to move out of his family home and put much of his collection in storage after his parents passed away. "For many years, I was insufferable because all I talked about was the Beatles. I tried to find a professional job but in the end I was always the ‘Beatles historian,' and every time I had any money I spent it on Beatles stuff."

The Observer's report doesn't offer an estimate of the collection's worth, but Volcouve, who's in his 60s, says he's hoping to bring in "enough money to live on decently" for the duration of his days. And although he refers to the collection as "an octopus whose tentacles were strangling me," he insists his love for the group's music remains undimmed.

"The Beatles were a cultural renaissance," he argued. "In my view, everything we have today in the way of artistic culture goes back to them. For me personally, their importance is that while other musicians gave people pleasure, the Beatles gave people happiness."

Beatles Albums Ranked Worst to Best

More From 96.5 The Walleye