David Bowie

Three-page, five-sided handwritten letter in turquoise pen by David Bowie, to London based BBC radio Disc jockey John Peel, late 1960s.

• Bowie has drawn three sketches within the letter, the first being the design for the bricks and mortar Arts Lab; the second and third are sketches of Bowie’s plans for the inflatable outdoors stage which is to be attached to the lorry.
• Addressed from Bowie, c/o Tony Visconti, 108 Lexham Gardens, London, W.8.
• Unframed.

Highlights from the letter

"Firstly, the moving of your programme is a drag and a shame. I suppose everyone is telling you that, but I would also like to add my condolences.

However, we still pick it up fairly well in Beckenham although I have no permanent address at the moment, I often caught bits of it at the pals I visit.

We are also a registered charity which mean we can avoid tax things.

The final hub will look something like this.

We have architects on our books who have designed it all. Meanwhile we are building an inflatable onto a pantechnicon (G.P.O. Lorry).

I have also sent you a copy of my single which I hope you will like. Will contact you soon Bowie"

From the collection of John Peel