Lennon, John

with one word corrected in blue ink, caustic editorial note in pencil under the text ("This is too tiny and too bad"), one page, large post quarto (10 x 8 in.; 255 x 204 mm, "Don Valley Bond" watermark), light creasing

[together with:] a photostat copy of the typescript with a pencil note ("expand?") crossed through and an additional paragraph in Lennon's autograph added to the bottom of the page, also with a brief memorandum on the verso listing material still required for the book, two pages, quarto (10 x 8 in.; 255 x 203 mm) 

Condition is described in the body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"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."

This lot comprises the typescript supplied by Lennon to Cape, together with a photocopy of the typescript (omitting, no doubt for diplomatic reasons, the editor's disparaging note on the piece) returned to the author for revision. Lennon's target in this short parody (which lost its subtitle in the printed version of the text) is the widespread obsession, shared by his own aunt Mimi, with correct pronunciation and its connotations with social class. 'All Abord Speeching', published on p.45 of In His Own Write, depicts a world in which subtle differences between "Oxfam" and "Caimbilge" English are worthy of careful delineation; a world, of course, that had been disturbed when four young men had shot to fame despite speaking in public with Scouse accents.