Antiques Roadshow Reveals Rare John Lennon Drawing Valued at £5,000

A recent episode of *Antiques Roadshow* featured a remarkable item: a ballpoint pen drawing by legendary musician John Lennon. The segment aired on BBC One and showcased a unique treasure presented by a collector at Lister Park and Cartwright Hall in the UK. The drawing, believed to be from Lennon’s younger years, sparked excitement among the show’s experts.

Liverpool-born antiques expert Wayne Colquhoun was particularly enthusiastic when he examined the drawing. He remarked to the collector, “You bought a bit of a doodle to my table here but on closer inspection, it’s quite an interesting doodle. This face looks a bit familiar, John Lennon, a bit of a hero of mine.” The piece features a handwritten message from Lennon, stating, “I’ve been getting into jazz man. I’ve been trying to avoid it all me life, with love John Lennon,” along with the signature “JL ’79.”

The owner of the drawing shared that he purchased it approximately 18 years ago while on holiday in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace. When prompted by Colquhoun about the purchase price, the collector was initially hesitant, whispering that he was “reluctant to tell because then the wife will find out.” He eventually revealed he paid £2,000 for the piece in 2007.

Colquhoun emphasized that this amount was significant at the time, but he also noted that the value of the drawing is likely to appreciate. He stated, “This piece is not going down in price. I can clearly see it reaching £5,000 if it had proper authentication.”

The episode highlighted the increasing value of Beatles memorabilia, as hundreds of rare items have fetched substantial sums at auctions over the years. In fact, earlier this year, a rare book written and signed by Lennon, titled *In His Own Write*, sold for £2,000. This collection of poems and stories, which Lennon illustrated himself, was first published in March 1964 and quickly became a bestseller.

The copy that recently sold was from the second print run in April 1964 and featured signatures from both Lennon and his then-wife, Cynthia Lennon. Both names were visible, with John’s signature written in blue ink and Cynthia’s in red.

In 2022, the auction market for Beatles memorabilia demonstrated its strength, with rare photographs of the band and an autographed book selling for £10,000. Such sales reflect the ongoing fascination with the Beatles and the enduring legacy of their contributions to music and culture. As collectors continue to seek out unique items, the value of memorabilia associated with artists like John Lennon is likely to remain high.