John Lennon

A handbill for the Eric Burdon and the Animals performance at the Speakeasy Club, London, England, autographed boldly on the front by John Lennon in blue ballpoint pen.

• Sold as a set of of 5: 1 autographed handbill, and 4 supporting documents.
• The autograph was obtained at the club by an American tourist in the early hours of the morning on the 9th August 1967. 
• Accompanied by a collection of supporting material detailing how the autograph was obtained, listed below, and a letter from a relative of the original recipient. 

Accompanying Documents:

(1) The original recipient’s Speakeasy Club membership card autographed by Eric Burdon:

• Eric has written ‘Eric Burdon the animals Love.’.
• This signature was obtained on the evening of the 10th August 1967 when Eric Burdon and the Animals performed at the club. 

(2) A list of London addresses written by the recipient, one of which is the Speakeasy Club. 

(3) The recipient’s diary which records his time in London, including obtaining John’s signature.

• Extracts are detailed below:
• Sunday 6th August 1967 – ‘Went to the pub on King’s Rd./ Talked to a few girls. Then went to the “Bag-O-Nails”, a club where the Stones and Beatles go’ 
• Monday 7th August 1967 – ‘Next went to the Speakeasy. Need a passport to get in as a guest.’ 
• Tuesday 8th August 1967 – ‘BEFORE I write – anything I must say that I met (talked to) John Lennon of The Beatles! It happened in the morning (actually – to be technical – on August 9th at 3.15 at the Speakeasy Club. I got his autograph and talked to him. He signed his name with this very pen I’m writing this with. He was very sharp and witty. For example, I said “Hey John, I know you don’t like to sign be bothered signing autographs…” And before I had a chance to finish he said, “How do you know?” I said “Well, ah – ah – I guess I don’t really know but I just assumed that”. Then I told him I didn’t normally collect autographs, but there were only four people whose autographs I would ever want and that is: The Beatles. Then he said something in return but I didn’t quite understand him. He said something about “You mean you wouldn’t want Kruschev’s (sic) or Johnson’s autograph?” Thinking he said that, I said, “No No, I just want The Beatles autographs”. Then I asked him if The Beatles were going to change their name to Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band. He once again gave me a witty answer and said “What do you mean? What’s wrong with having two names? Will you accept us if we use the name “Beatles” on one side of a record and “Sergeant Pepper” on the other side?” Again I had to admit he was right. What’s wrong with two names? Why should you conform and have only one name? Then, finally, I asked “Oh? Do you mean that your next album will use both names?” He said “Maybe, that’s and idea” He walked out of the John (bathroom) and as he left I said “Thanks John” He said “It’s all right” I still don’t believe it happened. Before this I went to the “Wetherbee Inn” and “The Ship” nothing half as interesting happened. 
• Sammy Davis Jr. was also at The Speakeasy. I also met a guy named Mark who I talked to most of the night. There weren’t many girls at all. 
• John Lennon was at a table with Eric Burdon and the Animals who are playing at the Speakeasy on Thursday nite. I hope to see them.’ 
• Thursday 10th August 1967 – Went to Speakeasy. Saw Eric Burdon and the Animals. Psychedelic Sound. Got Eric’s autograph. Also met a girl who said she wrote for an American newspaper about pop music. Associated with WPOP in Hartford. Name Debbie Smith She seemed to like me. The New Animals did not impress me. They were just a lot of noise. Eric’s singing was fair.’ 

(4) A letter from the cousin of the original recipient that reads:

• ‘Enclosed please find the autographs of John Lennon and Eric Burdon from August of 1967. I have also included my cousin's (Tom Tondo) diary from his trip to England. I have tabbed the page that referenced him getting Mr. Lennon's signature. You will also find additional memorabilia he had from that trip such as his personal notes, a club card and transit map.’.