The Rock & Roll Pop Culture Auction July 2019

Lot #85:

John Lennon's Personally Owned "Mrs. Lennon" T-Shirt

John Lennon gave his personally owned "Mrs. Lennon" t-shirt to award winning writer Grant Harper Reid circa 1973-74, when Reid was a film student. Reid's film editing teacher from Bard College conducted class in John Lennon's New York City Tribeca SoHo townhouse that Lennon dubbed "Nutopia" on 1 White Street. According to Reid, Lennon called it "Nutopia" because he wanted it be his "Embassy" where he would be the U.N. Peace Ambassador so he wouldn't be deported by Nixon. Reid went to Lennon's townhouse a few times on his own hoping to use Lennon's film editing equipment, and one time when Lennon was busy and wanted to get Reid to leave he gave Reid his two white Mrs. Lennon t-shirts and a black and white War is Over poster. Reid writes about his receiving the shirt in his upcoming book "Harlemite Goes College" and a subsequent encounter with Lennon and Yoko Ono in his published book "Harlem Bible in the Beginning". Reid is an acclaimed writer who also wrote the award winning biography of his father titled, "Rhythm for Sale". The shirt is accompanied by a letter of provenance from Reid, a typed page of excerpts from the two books regarding Reid's experiences with John Lennon and a Gotta Have Rock & Roll™ Certificate of Authenticity.