Lennon, John

2 pages, large post quarto (10 x 8 in.; 257 x 202 mm, "Don Valley Bond" watermark), pin holes and retaining old pin

see catalog
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A pastiche of the "Famous Five" children's books, a series of novels that had been avidly read by a young John Lennon. They were written by Enid Blyton, whose name here becomes "Greedy Blyton" (a version omitted from the printed text, perhaps out of fear of litigation), "Enig Blyter", and even "Greenod Bladder". Lennon distils the narrative to the essentials - repeated many times by Blyton - of a holiday trip ("...'Gruddy Pod, Gruddy Pod,' the train seemed to say...") visiting a friendly relation, followed by a meeting with a "furtive stranger" who, inevitably, is revealed as being the key to the "mysterious Woenow Abbey Hill". This piece appears on pp.32-33 of In His Own Write.