A rare album signed by John Lennon for his killer four decades ago is now being auctioned in New York.
This significant piece, a copy of “Double Fantasy,” was signed by Lennon for Mark David Chapman just hours before the musician’s tragic death on December 8, 1980.
The album is currently up for sale through Goldin Auctions, a New Jersey-based auction house.
As bidding commenced, the album’s price stood at $450,000, but experts anticipate it will fetch around $1.5 million when the online auction concludes on Saturday.
Chapman, who hailed from Hawaii and was described as having borderline psychotic tendencies, shot Lennon four times at close range, driven by his own pursuit of “self-glory.”
The shooting took place as Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, were returning home to the Dakota Apartments near Central Park.
Tragically, the 40-year-old musician passed away en route to the hospital.
According to Goldin Auctions, Chapman managed to obtain Lennon’s signature on the album earlier that day.
Following the shooting, he discarded the album in a planter outside the Dakota Apartments.
Notably, the album bears police markings from when it was taken into evidence, further adding to its historical value.
Described by Goldin Auctions as “arguably the most important Rock N Roll relic ever for sale,” this album holds immense significance in music history.
As news of the auction spread, tributes to the late Beatle poured in from his former bandmates and loved ones.
Paul McCartney took to Twitter, expressing his sorrow: “A sad sad day, but remembering my friend John with the great joy he brought to the world.”
Ringo Starr, the other surviving member of the Beatles, made a heartfelt request: “I’m asking every music radio station in the world to play Strawberry Fields Forever at some point today.
Peace and love.”
Yoko Ono, Lennon’s widow, used
