The hat worn by John Lennon on the cover of his book A Spaniard in the Works could sell for more than $10,000 at Heritage Auctions next month.
The hat is just one of several top Beatles lots on offer as part of the company’s Entertainment and Music Memorabilia Signature Auction, which takes place in Dallas on November 12.
Having published his first book ‘In His Own Write’ in March 1964, Lennon followed it up with his second, A Spaniard in the Works, in June 1965.
Both books were collections of Lennon’s nonsense poetry and surreal short stories, combined with his own bizarre illustrations. The cover of the second book featured an image of Lennon wrapped in a red cape, clutching a spanner and wearing a distinctive black wide-brimmed hat.
The hat was amongst several items gifted by Lennon to his long-time housekeeper Dot Jarlett, who looked after his ‘Kenwood’ home in Weybridge, Surrey during the 1960s.
Described as "a truly exceptional piece", the hat now comes with an estimate of $10,000+.
The most valuable Beatles album on offer is a copy of their debut 45 single ‘P.S. I Love You/Love Me Do’, signed by John, Paul, George and Ringo.
The copy of the Fab Four’s first single was bought for the consignor as a birthday gift in 1962, and taken to one of the Cavern Club’s legendary lunchtime gigs to be signed by the band.
The consignor, who was a young child at the time, recalled: "I’m unable to remember too much about the occasion, other than there was a small queue – perhaps two dozen and that I had difficulty differentiating one group member from another, except for the short one, who seemed very jovial and laughed a lot – I assumed at the time he must be the leader!"
The signed copy of the single, itself a rare first pressing, is estimated at $20,000+.
The sale also features signed items such as a copy of the band’s first U.S album Introducing the Beatles, estimated at $10,000+; a 1962 ‘Year of Achievement’ poster reprinted from Mersey Beat magazine, priced at $7,500; and a postcard signed by John, Paul, George and temporary drummer Jimmie Nicol in Australia in 1964, valued at $6,500+.
Further major Beatles highlights include a sealed first state copy of the infamous Yesterday and Today ‘Butcher cover’ album, estimated at $15,000, and a nine-page letter written by original band member Stuart Sutcliffe whilst a teenager at art college, estimated at $5,000+.
