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Lot #5215
John Lennon Signed Album

Extremely rare Double Fantasy album signed by Lennon and Ono days after its release—less than three weeks before the Chapman murder

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Estimate: $20000+
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Description

Extremely rare Double Fantasy album signed by Lennon and Ono days after its release—less than three weeks before the Chapman murder

Double Fantasy promotional album signed and inscribed on the back cover in thin black felt tip, "For Allan, love, John Lennon" and "Yoko Ono." In fine condition, with some light edge creasing. The record is included. Accompanied by full letters of authenticity from Perry Cox and Frank Caiazzo, who writes: "This LP cover was signed for photographer Allan Tannenbaum, who took [a] series of images of John in late November of 1980 for the 'SoHo News' newspaper, including a well known photograph of John sitting at his desk in his office while autographing a stack of 'Double Fantasy' album covers. Autographed 'Double Fantasy' album covers are quite rare and immensely desirable and this is an excellent example, with great provenance." Additionally, Cox notes that this album is indeed one of the Double Fantasy albums signed "at their home office on November 21, 1980 after the historic photo session in Central Park," a distinction he believes elevates this album as "one of the most historic John Lennon / Yoko Ono signed items in existence." Although Double Fantasy received mixed reception from music critics upon its release on November 17, 1980, the murder of Lennon by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980, prompted fans and critics alike to reexamine the work. It became a commercial success soon thereafter, and Double Fantasy went on to win the 1981 Album of the Year award at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards. In addition to the stack of Double Fantasy albums signed at his ‘Studio One’ home office, Lennon also signed a copy for his would-be assailant some six hours before his tragic death. To date, this is one of only two signed copies of Double Fantasy that have been sold with photographic evidence of Lennon signing the album—the other being the one he signed to his killer.

This item was signed by John and Yoko on November 21st, 1980. John was photographed signing the album sitting at his desk by Soho Weekly News photographer Allan Tannenbaum. The album is a gold stamp promotional copy which presents a convenient marker to determine which albums Lennon signed to friends/family as opposed to standard copies signed to fans. An unthinkably rare piece from the final days of Lennon’s life. Accompanied by a photocopy of the original letter of provenance from Allan Tannenbaum.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Marvels of Modern Music
  • Dates: #596 - Ended November 19, 2020





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