British icon John Lennon may be best known as one of the founding members of The Beatles, but when the adored musician was shockingly murdered in 1980, he left behind more than just a repertoire of No. 1 hits. This week, Sotheby’s Auction House will explore “one of the largest bodies of non-musical work [Lennon] ever produced,” putting over 100 of the manuscripts, poems, and drawings Lennon created during the pinnacle of “Beatlemania” on the auction block. With works ranging from $500 to $70,000, the sale—which includes humorous sketches, preliminary manuscripts to the two titles Lennon published, and handwritten notes from Paul McCartney—could rake in close to $2 million. Below is a preview of the rare works up for sale starting Wednesday.
Left: untitled ink drawing of a vicar gazing at a naked couple, Est. $10,000/15,000
John Lennon
"Puffing and globbering they drugged theyselves rampling or dancing with wild abdomen, stubbing in wild postumes amongst themselves..."
Est. $18,000/22,000
John Lennon
"A Lot of Flies on His Wife" From 'No Flies on Frank'
Est. $7,000/9,000
John Lennon
"I Sat Belonely Down a Tree, Humbled Fat and Small" From 'I Sat Belonely'
Est. $12,000/15,000
John Lennon
untitled ink drawing of a seated man confronted by a floating creature
Est. $8,000/12,000
John Lennon
untitled ink drawing of a boy with six birds
Est. $12,000/15,000
John Lennon
untitled ink drawing of a four-eyed guitar player
Est. $15,000/25,000
John Lennon
