Next week, we will commemorate the 40th anniversary of John Lennon’s tragic death.
The iconic Beatles legend was fatally shot on December 8, 1980, by Mark Chapman, a disturbed fan who had become disillusioned with the band’s anti-religious lyrics.
Lennon, born in Liverpool, had just returned to his New York apartment at The Dakota after a recording session when he was attacked around 10:50 pm.
Remarkably, an album that Lennon signed for his future murderer hours before his untimely demise has resurfaced and is predicted to fetch a “seven-figure sum” at auction, according to auctioneer Dave Amerman.
The circumstances surrounding Lennon’s final autograph are chillingly ordinary.
Approximately five hours prior to assassinating the music icon, Chapman approached Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono outside The Dakota, a scenario not uncommon for fans seeking a chance encounter.
Lennon obliged and signed the Double Fantasy album, released four months earlier, using a blue pen.
His signature, along with the year “1980,” can be found just below his wife’s portrait on the record.
After shooting Lennon twice in the back, Chapman concealed the signed album in one of the large planters at the entrance of their apartment building.
The fate of the album took an intriguing turn when maintenance worker Phillip Michael stumbled upon it and promptly turned it over to the police.
Following its release as evidence, Michael held onto the album, keeping it hidden under his bed for 18 years before deciding to sell it in 1998.
Now, four decades after that fateful night, Goldin Auctions in New Jersey has listed the album for sale, expecting it to command an impressive price tag.
Auction Director Dave Amerman shared with Express.co.uk, “We anticipate a seven-figure sale, making it the most expensive album ever sold, and we expect it to fetch $1 million or more.
Emotions drive pieces to sell for record prices in auctions, and this item will undoubtedly evoke a wide range of emotions.”
Amerman acknowledged that the sale has faced criticism from individuals who oppose profiting from such a significant piece of history.
It is important to note that John Lennon experienced profound grief and lack of support following the death of his mother, a fact that had a lasting impact on him.
Despite the controversy surrounding the upcoming auction, the signed Double Fantasy album serves as a poignant reminder of Lennon’s final act of generosity before his life was tragically cut short.
The Beatles’ Double Fantasy album, which featured Lennon’s signature and the year 1980, was released four months prior to the singer’s untimely death.
As we approach the 40th anniversary of this somber event, the album’s reappearance in the public eye not only reignites interest in Lennon’s legacy but also raises questions about the enduring fascination with memorabilia connected to tragic figures like Lennon
