Lennon’s “Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds” lyrics to be auctioned

admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:34:21 +0000

John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics for “Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds” are being auctioned next month at a sale in Beverly Hills. The lyrics to the classic Beatles hit are expected to sell for more than $200,000 (£122,700).

“Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds” was recorded on 1 March 1967 at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios, London. It was a highlight of the Beatles’ legendary “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album, released in June of the same year.

There have always been suspicions that the phrase “Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds” was a reference to the drug LSD, particularly given the unusual lyrics and experimental instrumentation. Lennon always denied this, claiming that his son Julian had come up with the phrase when explaining a drawing he had done of a school friend called Lucy.

Also on sale is a draft of a letter sent from John Lennon to Paul and Linda McCartney following the break up of the Beatles. This was written in the period when the relationship between Lennon and McCartney was very strained and the contents of the letter make that very clear.

Click image to enlarge

The letter is expected to sell for up to $60,000 (£36,800).

These are two of 1,633 lots featured in the Hollywood Memorabilia Auction 44, by the Profiles in History auction house. Other highlights include:

James Dean’s tweed jacket worn in Rebel Without a Cause

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car from the film of the same name

Cecil B. DeMille’s Golden Calf used in The Ten Commandments

original watercolor concept art from Fantasia

Sylvester Stallone’s boxing gloves from the first Rocky.

The Profiles in History auction takes place on May 14-15 at the Saban Theater, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

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Lennon’s “Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds” lyrics to be auctioned