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ALS signed twice, “J. Lennon” and “John. a band. – this is a word. (Lennon) this is my surname,” one page, 8.5 x 13.25, ca. July 1965. Penned on the reverse of a July 25, 1965, letter from Lennon's old friend Jonathan Hague, who wrote from "The Hague" in Holland, Lennon responds with a characteristically humorous illustrated letter. His handwritten reply, headed “This is a letter,” reads in full: “Hello John the Hague / So there you are in Holland with all those clogs eh? Glad you are now A FAMOUS PAINTER – just like Arthur Ballard said you would be!
The catalogue looked good, seems you’ve forgotten all about Brabby! I still can’t paint – but still do, if you see what I mean, ANYWAY – I’m pleased to hear from you my address is not so special – but here it is: J. Lennon / Kenwood, St. Georges Hill / Cavendish Rd. / Weybridge / Surrey.
If you write – try and use a similar type of envelope to the one you sent – you know BROWN. – or your letter might get lost in the happy fan mail. See or hear you soon. Good heavens.” Lennon concludes by playfully identifying his signature, writing, “This is my Christian name. – John. a band. – this is a word. (Lennon) this is my surname,” and adds a sketch of Jesus Christ on the cross with the caption, “This is guess who?”
The reverse, annotated by Lennon at the top, “This is your letter – don't read it for me.,” contains Hague's original letter, which reads: “Dear John / I promised to write when you were in Llandudno. However, I lost the special address in Hoylake that you gave me, I only recently saw this one. Pity you cannot see this show, anyway I thought you would be interested to see the catalogue. I’ve had a lot of luck! Regards to Paul and George and Cynthia and my congratulations.” Hague adds a postscript: “Please send special address (stamped addressed enclosed!!!!!!).” In very good to fine condition, with creasing, handling wear, heavy intersecting folds, and a short tear to the top edge. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks.
Jonathan Hague was a longtime friend of Lennon from their days together at Liverpool College of Art, where both studied under painting instructor Arthur Ballard. According to Hague, Lennon once invited him to join his skiffle group, the Quarrymen, as drummer, only for Hague to protest that he had neither drums nor musical talent, prompting Lennon to quip, "None of us do." Their friendship endured long after the Beatles' rise to fame: Hague visited Lennon while the band was performing in Llandudno in 1963, and by 1965 had established himself as a promising artist with a solo exhibition at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague, the exhibition that prompted the correspondence offered here. Lennon enthusiastically congratulates his old friend on his success, recalling Ballard's prediction that Hague would become "A FAMOUS PAINTER." Their friendship continued for years afterward, culminating in Lennon's sponsorship and opening of Hague's one-man exhibition at London's Royal Institute Galleries in December 1967, alongside fellow sponsor Paul McCartney.
Lennon's reply falls within a remarkably eventful period for the Beatles. Hague's original letter is dated July 25, 1965, the same day the band began rehearsals at London's Saville Theatre for its upcoming North American tour. The exchange came just days after the release of the 'Help!' single on July 23 and immediately preceded the royal premiere of Help! on July 29, the release of the chart-topping Help! album on August 6, and the Beatles' historic, record-breaking concert at Shea Stadium on August 15. Lennon was also writing only six weeks after the June 12, 1965, announcement that all four Beatles had been appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs), an unprecedented honor for a pop group. Amid this whirlwind of activity, Lennon still found time to write warmly to an old friend from his art school days, congratulating him on his artistic success abroad.
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