January 2023

Genuine John Lennon Typed Letter Signed with Self Portrait Sketch 1974. Signed by The Beatles legend John Lennon in blue marker pen, drawing his self portrait.

TLS signed “John,” with added self-portrait sketch, one page, 8.5 x 11, August 1, 1974. Letter sent to Native American guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, in full (spelling and grammar retained): “dear (h)ed, and patti, glad you enjoyed. thanx for offer. I’ll probably have done most of it by the time you get this! elton came and sang (and played great piano/organ) on ‘whatever gets you through the night.’ i used the original take by the way, we never played it as well again. its ruff, but cooks! hes some musician old elton j!

Hand signed Letter from John Lennon

Letters from Lennon remain uncommon and highly sought after. With this example all the more interesting given its various associations to the production. Of his fifth studio album Walls and Bridges. The recipient, Jesse Ed Davis, a member of Taj Mahal’s backing band who performed guitar. On the album and on its 1975 follow-up Rock ‘n’ Roll, also played on albums by George Harrison and Ringo Starr before passing away in 1988. “De nurse” is a reference to May Pang, Lennon’s partner during his fabled ‘Lost Weekend.’ Who sang backup vocals on the album and was an inspiration for the song. ‘Surprise Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox),’ which also featured harmony vocals by Elton John.

Who, as Lennon explains, played piano on the album’s second track, ‘Whatever Gets You thru the Night.’ Lennon reflected on the John cameo in an interview with Rolling Stone. ‘Elton sort of popped in on the sessions for Walls and Bridges. Also, sort of zapped in and played the piano and ended up singing ‘Whatever Gets You Thru the Night’ with me. Which was a great shot in the arm. I’d done three quarters of it, ‘Now what do we do?’ Should we put a camel on it or a xylophone? That sort of thing. And he came in and said, ‘Hey, I’ll play some piano!’”

This item sold for $24,000 in June 2022

Authentic John Lennon Signed ‘Let It Be’ Album with Original Sketches. Let It Be inner album sleeve signed by Lennon to his Japanese language teacher.

Amazing Let It Be first pressing album by the Beatles (Apple Records, AR 34001, Scranton). Signed and inscribed neatly on the inner album sleeve in black felt tip, “To Astrid mit lieben, John Lennon,” who adds “76” and draws two sketches. One of himself and another of a sheep standing on a cloud with the sun peaking out in the background. Below Lennon’s signature and drawings. Besdies, the recipient has inscribed the sleeve to her nephew, “and to David, with love, from Tante Astrid, IV. 1980.”

Lennon attended the Berlitz New York City Language Centre. Furthermore, in an attempt to learn Japanese soon after the birth of his son, Sean. Astrid, the recipient, was his instructor. According to Ray Coleman in his 1984 book John Ono Lennon. The sessions at the Manhattan language school lasted for two hours, three times a week: ‘The technique was…the complete immersion method with no English spoken. John also bought a series of cassettes. Much to Yoko’s chagrin he would attempt to practice on her…after two months of battling…he could manage only about forty words. He gave up after a brave try, much to Yoko’s relief.’

This item sold for $9000 in November 2022.

Authentic George Harrison Signed 45 RPM Record Insert. Cardstock insert from the ‘Faster / Your Love Is Forever’ 45 RPM picture disc, signed in blue felt tip by George Harrison.

“Faster” is a song by English rock artist George Harrison from his 1979 studio album of the same name. The song inspired by Harrison’s year away from music in 1977, when he travelled with the Formula One World Championship. As well as his friendship with racing drivers like as Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda. Although the lyrics are applicable to numerous professions. They focus on the difficulty of obtaining and maintaining success in motorsport, particularly Formula 1.

In the United Kingdom, “Faster” was released as George Harrison’s third single and offered on a picture disc. Featuring the portraits of numerous prior world champion drivers. The single raised funds for Gunnar Nilsson’s cancer research foundation, which he established in 1978. It also honoured Ronnie Peterson, Nilsson’s countryman who died as a result of injuries incurred during the 1978 Italian Grand Prix. Harrison recorded a video for the song. In which he sings the song in the back of a car driven by Stewart.

This item sold for $1700 in January 2023