John Lennon Archives - Page 24 of 34

Posted on 20/10/202231/05/2024 by liddypool — 1 Comment

Derek Taylor – Genesis of an Idea

George Harrison – I Me Mine

The king of producing limited edition Beatles-related books is undoubtedly, Genesis Publications Ltd, based in the UK. Since the late Brian Roylance made the arrangements to publish George Harrison’s signed “I Me Mine” volume back in the early to mid 1970’s, the publishers have continued to publish books of intense interest to Beatles fans. At last count, more than 30 Beatles-related Genesis books have been issued.

Beautifully produced and bound in Italy, the mostly leather-bound volumes are superb in the way they are crafted, and the materials used to present them. Many Beatles fans however are skeptical and cynical about the higher prices the limited-edition books command as for many the cost is prohibitive.

The Cover from It Was Twenty Years Ago Today

Derek Taylor

Many collectors of Genesis titles may wonder what the rarest Beatles-related title is that they produced. Many people are not aware that the hardest to acquire Genesis Beatles-related title is actually a reprint of what was an already released book by the late Derek Taylor, the Beatles former publicist. His book, “It was Twenty Years Ago Today” was issued as a signed 100 copy issue by Genesis.

The publishers honored my request to allow me to purchase the last numbered copy, number 100, for my personal collection. Many people have asked me why the fascination with the last numbered copy of a limited-edition book. Here is the logic behind the reasoning. Obtaining the first numbered copy is virtually impossible to do as a result of the high demand for that numbered copy of the book. Having what turns out to be the last copy, holds an equally important fascination to me as no more limited-edition copies will ever appear or be made. That is the psychology behind requesting the last numbered copy. That coupled with the excellent writing ability of Mr. Taylor, makes this a book to be treasured.

Derek’s book, marking the 20th anniversary of the release of Sgt. Pepper and Derek’s recollections of the essence of the counterculture of the ’60s make this a wonderful book to have!

Alternative Covers

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Posted on 13/10/202231/05/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

The Beatles – A Private View

Robert Freeman

There are many differing views about limited edition Beatles books and records. Some collectors like to own items not easily available to others. They take pride in the exclusivity of the product that they may have. Others may resent both the expense of the item and their lack of ability to obtain one.

Limited Edition

I must say, as a collector I truly enjoy these limited-edition books very much if there is something special and unique that is present only on the limited edition. The boxset you see here is a limited-edition slip-cased version of noted Beatles photographer, Robert Freeman’s book, “The Beatles: A Private View.” This edition was one of 2,500 copies.

Special Feature

The special feature of this book was a signed print of Robert Freeman’s submitted photo collage that would have been the cover of the LP “Revolver” if the Beatles had not chosen Klaus Voormann’s cover instead. A bit of historical trivia for Beatles fans. It has been speculated that Robert Freeman’s wife was the inspiration for the John Lennon song, “Norwegian Wood.”

The Alternative Revolver Cover

Robert Freeman's Idea for "Revolver" — Robert Freeman’s Idea for “Revolver”

The book was published by Big Tent Entertainment; Limited edition (Oct. 25 2003)

The following letter accompanied the book, from the publisher.

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Posted on 10/10/202231/05/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

With A Little Help! From Our Friends

Three books from a few of the character actors in the Beatles movie, “Help!”

Leo McKern, Eleanor Bron, and Victor Spinetti

Leo McKern Just Resting — Leo McKern – Just Resting

Leo played the character Clang/Klang in the movie and Eleanor portrayed the role of Ahme.

Victor had the role of the conniving Foot

Leo McKern’s book was published by Methuen in 1983, Bron’s book was published by Jonathan Cape in 1985. Spinetti’s book was published in 2006 by Pavilion Books.

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Posted on 07/10/202231/05/2024 by liddypool — 2 Comments

Beatles Graffiti

Beatles Graffiti

It is amazing the variety of Beatles-related book titles that have appeared over the years. This one holds a special place in my heart for several reasons.

A while back I came across an Online Kickstarter campaign designed to help finance the sale and distribution of what I saw as a very special Beatles-related book. A gentleman named Jonathan Armstrong was assisting a lady named Jo Holden to publish a book of Beatles graffiti that appeared on the famous Abbey Road wall outside the EMI studios. Jo’s husband, photographer Martin Holden had spent 12 years photographing the various postings of Beatles grafitti on the wall because he was fascinated with the worldwide impact of the group and how fans still maintained their intense interest in them

To quote Marton Holden’s friend, Jonathan Armstrong:

“In October of 2018, Martin was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. Despite this prognosis, he continued to visit the studios and remained determined to keep the project going. He lost his battle in August 2019, and now Martin’s widow Jo is committed to finishing his work, both as a tribute to him and as closure to the long personal journey they took together.”

Sketch on Abbey Road Wall

As a special feature for the people that contributed to the Kickstarter campaign to finance the book, an artist would draw a little sketch like the walrus shown below and a message written by the pledge donor would accompany the sketch on the Abbey Road wall. The artist would photograph it before it was washed away the following month. My contribution to that book is presented in the middle panel of the picture below the book cover. The artist that did the walrus drawing for my post and I believe the person that took the photograph is named Robert Rubbish. People that purchased this book were also contributing to brain tumor research.

I believe there is a website where interested parties can still find and purchase this book if they are interested! I was so happy to have been able to acquire a copy of this wonderful title which encapsulates the continuing importance of the band to our culture.

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Posted on 02/10/202231/05/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

Julian Lennon’s Beatles Memorabilia Exhibition

Signed twice-Julian Lennon Beatles Memorabilia Flyer for an Exhibition held in Gibraltar

Most of us are aware of the often-tumultuous relationship between Julian Lennon and his dad. Though this is not a book product it is a print item twice signed by Julian at an exhibition of his Beatles memorabilia in Gibraltar. Julian, unfortunately had to buy back many of these items in auctions as many were not inherited or left to him directly after John’s passing. It is good to see that in recent years Julian seems to have forgiven his dad for his feelings of being abandoned when he was a young child.

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Posted on 30/09/202231/05/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

The Beatles Lyrics Leather-bound – Fact or Fiction?

The Leather-bound Beatles Lyrics Hunter Davies Book-Fact or Fiction?

I learned a lesson the hard way with this title. It was advertised on Ebay as a leather-bound prototype of only two copies that were made by the publishers. The volume was also signed by the author. According to the seller he approached Hunter at the hotel he was staying at for a Beatles event and he asked him to sign the book there. I paid a lot of money for this book and then I did what I should have before I purchased it. I wrote to our good friend, author David Bedford, to ask Hunter Davies about this limited-edition book. David obliged my request and Hunter got back to him saying to the best of his knowledge, no leather-bound limited-edition versions of the book were ever issued. The publishers subsequently verified that notion.

Refund?

I could have returned the book to the seller demanding a full refund, but I decided not to for what you may interpret as an odd reason. The book is indeed leather-bound, and it is signed by Hunter as I have several of his signatures. What the sellers or people that they got the book from did, was to take the contents of the regular hardback edition of the book and bind it in a leather casing. Even though what was done was not a legitimate enterprise, it gave me the only leather-bound edition of the book in the world which I found to be very intriguing and prompted my keeping it. However, I am not going to throw caution to the wind in the future, as this will not happen to me again!

Thoroughly investigate ahead of time when thinking about buying a big-ticket item.

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