Largest-ever collection of John Lennon's drawings and poems set for auction

The biggest private collection of John Lennon drawings, poems and prose ever to go to market will be sold by Sotheby's in New York on June 4, the international auction house said Monday.

The items comprise the original material that appeared in two books by the late Beatle -- "In His Own Write," published 50 years ago this year, and "A Spaniard in the Works" that hit the best-seller lists in 1965.

Among the 89 lots is a satirical guide to Lennon's hometown, Liverpool valued at $12,000 to $15,000, and the original manuscript of his nonsense poem "The Fat Budgie" estimated to be worth up to $35,000.

The items come from the private collection of London publisher Tom Maschler, who recalled encouraging Lennon to develop his literary talents at a time when the Beatles were revolutionizing pop music.

"Revisiting the creative process that led to these remarkable books, and my relationship with him throughout and beyond, had made me realize the more just how much I miss him," said Maschler, creator of the Booker prize.

Sotheby's said the collection will be on exhibit prior to sale at its showrooms in London from Friday through March 25 and New York from May 28 to the day before the auction.

Lennon, a founding member of the Beatles, was murdered in New York in December 1980 at the age of 40, three weeks after the release of his last album "Double Fantasy," a collaboration with wife Yoko Ono.

[Image via Agence France-Presse]