'God Help You': Lennon's $65,000 Beatle letter to McCartney set for auction

A letter written by John Lennon to estranged songwriting partner Paul McCartney is coming to auction in the US and is expected to strongly interest memorabilia investors.

The 1971 letter, which is thought never to have been sent, has a high end estimate of £40,000 and was acquired by a friend of the Lennon family.

In response to a communication from McCartney, Lennon opens with: "I was reading your letter and wondering what middle-aged cranky Beatle fan wrote it."

Lennon goes on to announce his regret at accepting an MBE in 1965 as well as to complain about his wife's treatment from the other Beatles.


P.S. I Love You - Lennon and McCartney's relationship soured in the late 1960s

"I hope you realise what sh*t you and the rest of my 'kind and unselfish' friends laid on Yoko and me," he writes.

The Beatles split in 1970, following several years of disenchantment and rancour.

Writing in the same year he produced Imagine, Lennon used the opportunity to suggest that McCartney's solo efforts had not matched his own.

"Of course, we changed the world - but try and follow it through - GET OFF YOUR GOLD DISC AND FLY!" he says, before signing off "God Help You".

The May 14 and 15 Profiles in History auction will also feature Lennon's handwritten lyrics to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, which are expected to sell for $200,000.

The Beatles' first recording contract, signed in June 1961 with Polydor, sold for £70,000 at the Fame Bureau's London auction last week, surpassing its £50,000 pre-sale estimate.

 

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