Poignant John Lennon letter penned just months before he was shot dead emerges for sale
A poignant letter written by John Lennon, in which he wrote that he ‘hoped life would begin at 40’, just months before he was murdered, has gone on sale for £30,000.
The Beatle also says he wishes there were a few less “problems” in his life when he reaches this milestone, he wrote in the letter to his cousin Liela Birch.
He then goes on to talk about the “many assholes I’ve encountered over the past 40 years,” complaining about people he believes were after his money.
In December 1980, two months after his 40th birthday, he was tragically shot dead by Mark Chapman outside his New York apartment.
He writes: ‘I’ll be 40 next year. I hope life begins then. I’d like to have less ‘problems’ and more – what?’
A poignant letter John Lennon wrote in 1979, in which he said he ‘hoped life began at 40’, just months before he was murdered
The Beatle says he wishes there were a few less ‘problems’ in his life when he reaches the milestone in the letter to his niece Liela Birch
Lennon opens up about his ‘beautiful and wise’ three-year-old son Sean in candid letter
The singer and songwriter also references his eldest son Julian, then 15, who attended a private boarding school
Lennon talks about his “beautiful and wise” three-year-old son Sean in the candid, four-page handwritten letter he wrote in January 1979.
He admitted he was worried about returning to England to visit his elderly aunt Mimi Smith, fearing it would be the last time they would meet alive and he was ‘a coward when it comes to saying goodbye’.
He names his son Sean and adds: ‘(Sean) is a handsome, wise 3 year old – what a handful he is – I don’t know how you manage it all – well done!
“The fact that they still have all their limbs and faculties is an achievement in itself!”
He also refers to his eldest son Julian, then 15 years old, who was in a private boarding school.
He writes: ‘If you are ever in North Wales, look up Julian. He goes to Rutlin School, poor thing.’
Lennon reveals that he and Yoko Ono are about to take a trip to Cairo and Geneva, referring to Leila’s jokes about her Egyptian background: “I wish we could dig up some of your father’s relatives.”
He then attacks someone called Steve, writing: ‘I sent Steve a Christmas card (up north) – I don’t know what’s up with him – is he mad at me for not being stupid or something?!
“I think he was always jealous of you. I still think it was mean of him. I heard a lot about him when he was still pathetic. It wouldn’t surprise me, after all the assholes I’ve met over the last 40 years.”
The letter, which features a sketch of a smiling face and is signed ‘Love John and Yoko’, will go under the hammer at RR auction house in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States.
The letter will go under the hammer this month at RR Auction in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States.
Lennon signs the letter with ‘Love John and Yoko’ and a smiley face sketch with kisses
The letter recalls memories of childhood holidays, his thoughts about his young son Sean and his fears about a possible visit to Liverpool to visit his dying aunt.
A spokesman for RR Auction said: ‘This is a thoughtful, substantive letter from John Lennon to his niece Liela, reminiscing about childhood holidays, sharing news of his young son Sean and expressing his concerns about a potential visit to Liverpool.
‘After moving to New York City in 1971, Lennon never returned to England. A combination of business, Green Card issues and apparent fear were the main reasons.
Lennon pictured with his wife Yoko Ono and their son Sean around the time the letter was written
Lennon (left) pictured in his heyday with fellow Beatles members George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney
Perhaps the most poignant comments on his 40th birthday [in the] next year.
“He was murdered at an age Lennon had hoped for.”
The sale will take place on September 28th.