Handwritten Letter from John Lennon to Eric Clapton Heading to Public sale

A handwritten letter which sees John Lennon pitching a brand new band to Eric Clapton goes underneath the auctioneer’s hammer.

The eight-page letter, which is dated Sept. 29, 1971, is a draft of the general model which used to be despatched to Clapton that very same 12 months. Helmed through Global Autograph Auctions Europe SL, the missive will cross to public sale on Dec. 5 for an anticipated sale of €100,000 – €150,000 (roughly $104,000 – $157,000), with bidding registrations open now.

The contents of the letter display the beginnings of what will have been a captivating bankruptcy within the tale of rock track, with Lennon asking Clapton to shape a brand new band.

“You should know through now that Yoko and I charge your track and your self very extremely, at all times have,” the letter starts. As Lennon continues, he touches on Clapton’s then-current darkish duration, which used to be marred through heroin dependancy and a retreat from public appearances.

“Eric, I do know I will convey out one thing nice, actually better in you that were thus far glaring on your track,” Lennon provides. “I’m hoping to convey out the similar more or less greatness in all folks, which I do know will occur if/after we get in combination.”

The letter in the end pitches the theory of Clapton acting as a part of the potential band, which might have incorporated earlier Plastic Ono Band participants Klaus Voorman, Jim Keltner, Nicky Hopkins, and Phil Spector. “And naturally we had YOU!!! in thoughts once we made up our minds,” it continues.

By the point of the letter’s writing, Clapton had prior to now carried out as a part of the Plastic Ono Band, showing as a part of the iterations of the gang that existed between September and December 1969.

“Please don’t be nervous, I perceive paranoia, simplest too neatly,” Lennon provides to the expectedly-hesitant on the shut of his letter. “I feel it will simplest do just right so that you can paintings with individuals who love and admire you, and that’s from all folks.”

In the end, Clapton would flip down Lennon’s be offering of becoming a member of the nascent band of “superstars”.

The draft of the letter additionally comprises a lot of corrections and edits, even though it’s unknown what the general model that used to be despatched to Clapton seemed like. This isn’t the primary time the letter has long past up on the market, on the other hand, with a 2012 public sale anticipating the thing to promote for a complete of $30,000.