Lennon produced the material during the 1960s at the height of the band’s fame, when “Beatlemania” was sweeping the world.
Publisher Tom Maschler saw Lennon’s drawings and writings in 1962 and convinced him to write and illustrate a book.
Lennon produced “In His Own Write” (1964) and “A Spaniard in the Works,” (1965). To show his gratitude, he gave the drawings and other materials to Maschler, who later went on to create the Booker Prize, one of literature’s most prestigious.
Among some of the pricier items in the auction is a 1965 manuscript titled “The Singularge Experience of Miss Anne Duffield.” It’s expected to fetch between $40,000 and $60,000.
An illustration of a guitar player with four eyes, which Lennon created in 1964 or 1965 has been tagged with a presale estimate of $15,000 to $25,000.
This year is the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ arrival in the United States, which launched the “British Invasion” in rock music. As a result, interest in Beatles memorabilia is soaring, the auction house said.
Lennon was shot and killed in 1980 in New York City by a deranged fan.
The sale, titled “You Might Well Arsk,” includes 89 lots valued at an estimated $800,000. It’s scheduled, June 4, at Sotheby’s in New York.
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