This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/8/2023
John Lennon hand-drawn and signed self-portrait. The sketch was acquired privately from CYNTHIA LENNON (1939-2015) , John's first wife, in August of 1991
Present with the sketch is a typed statement from that purchaser, 5pp. 4to., explaining that he met Cynthia Lennon by chance while viewing items belonging to her and John then being auctioned by Christie's in London. Cynthia asked the purchaser, an appraiser of Third Reich materials, to provide her a value with several items belonging to John Lennon which reflected his fascination with Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler in particular, and which Christie's had refused to offer. These included the sketch presented here, as well as three additional sketches with similar themes reflecting John's Third Reich interests, two Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross medals with Oak Clusters, and a postwar Austrian commemorative medal celebrating the life of Adolf Hitler, which Cynthia stated was worn "continuously" by John. After providing values to Cynthia, the writer was allowed to purchase all of these items, on the condition that they were not to be sold until after Cynthia's death.
Present with the sketch is the catalog for Christie's August 28-29, 1991 sale, signed on the front cover in blue ink by Cynthia Lennon, adding the inscription "Love." The statement of provenance relates that Cynthia signed this catalog for the original purchaser during their first meeting in Christie's showroom. The drawing presented here is believed to have been executed by Lennon while enrolled at the Liverpool College of Art, dating it 1956-1958. It shows stylistic similarity to a hand-made Christmas card drawn for Cynthia Lennon by John, which was sold in the 1991 Christie's sale. It is typical of his early work, which later evolved into his "comic line" style, best exemplified by his books "In His Own Write", "A Spaniard in the Works" and "Skywriting by Word of Mouth". Lennon is known to have had a life-long obsession with Adolf Hitler, best exemplified by his insistence that Hitler appear on the cover of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, although the dictator was removed from the image at the last minute.
Good condition.
Authentication: Frank Caiazzo Letter of Authenticity, a Roger Epperson (REAL) Letter of Authenticity, a photocopy of the 1991 Christies catalog, additional photographs, and a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.