Lennon letter outlining Beatles rift up for sale
The draft six-page letter to Paul and Linda McCartney, littered with spelling mistakes, deletions and expletives, was being sold at Christie's in South Kensington, London.
The writer's mood swings from intense anger and hurt at the other Beatles' treatment of him and Yoko Ono, disdain for Linda, frustration and exasperation with numerous issues, to a palpable affection for Paul McCartney.
Though not dated, the letter is believed to have been written around 1970-71. It is not known if it was ever sent.
Written at Lennon's Berkshire mansion, Tittenhurst Park, the letter apparently responds to one sent by Linda in which she castigated Lennon for derogatory remarks made to the press about Paul and The Beatles.
Lennon airs his disenchantment with some of the trappings of The Beatles' fame, citing their acceptance of MBE awards in 1965, an honour he returned publicly four years later - "I do remember squirming a little - don't you Paul - or do you - as I suspect still believe it all ...?"
And he accuses Paul of letting their success go to his head and for believing that they alone sparked the youth revolution - "Of course we changed the world - but try and follow it through - get off your gold disc and fly."
But he signs off on a tender note saying "... inspite (sic) of it all, love to you both, from us two."
The letter is expected to fetch from STG65,000 ($A194,029) to STG80,000 ($A238,805).
It features in a sale offering the collector an A to Z of pop from Abba to ZZ Top, including lyrics, autograph material, props, costume and guitars ranging in estimate from STG200 ($A597.01) to STG80,000. ($A238,805).
[I seem to recall this one being up for auction before, I'm sure someone else posted about it because the contents of the letter are familiar.]
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