A signed John Lennon drawing during a 1969 visit to Sutherland is coming up for auction in Lichfield.

Autographed ‘To Derek Peace + Love John Lennon 1969’, the framed picture is a sketch of Lennon and Yoko Ono in John’s characteristic caricature style.
‘Derek’ was the uncle of vendor Frank Massie, who inherited the work from his late father, also called Frank, to whom it was passed when Derek died.

The work will go under the hammer in Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ Antiques & Home Sale on Monday, November 1

Mr Massie said: “My uncle Derek was given this autograph and sketch personally by John Lennon when he visited Durness with Yoko Ono, Julian Lennon and Yoko’s daughter Kyoko in 1969.

“My uncle lived and worked in Durness and met John while he was there.”

It was around this time that Lennon crashed his Austin Maxi near Loch Eriboll on the north coast of Scotland, cutting short their visit and landing John in hospital for five days.
Mr Massie added: “It was originally in an old frame but I have had it re-framed. I’m nearing the end of my life so I’ve decided to sell it and get the best possible price on behalf of my children.”

John Lennon took childhood summer holidays in Durness and the song In My Life from 1965 Beatles album Rubber Soul is said to be based on a poem about the village penned whilst holidaying in the area as a teenager.

The village of Durness has a memorial garden to Lennon featuring stones engraved with In My Life lyrics.

However, the house where he stayed as a boy has now been demolished and replaced with a modern dwelling.
Ephemera specialist Robert French said: “John Lennon was one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century.

“His work with The Beatles, peace activism, solo career and tragic untimely death in New York have been intricately documented and he remains a source of fascination and inspiration for millions of people worldwide.

“Lennon’s love of Scotland started in his childhood and he wanted to share these formative memories with Yoko when they first became a couple.
“This drawing links these great loves of Lennon’s life and demonstrates his affection to his personal friends and acquaintances.

“We’ve guided this cautiously at £500 to £800 but there’s a strong possibility it could fetch between £2,000 and £4,000.”
northern-times.co.uk

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