John Lennon's angry letter sells for $30,000

An angry letter John Lennon sent to Paul and Linda McCartney circa 1971 has sold for $29,843.

The lot crossed the block at RR Auction on November 17.

John Lennon letter
John Lennon was furious when he sat down to pen this letter

Lennon wrote it in response to a letter from Linda McCartney attacking him for not publicly announcing his departure from the Beatles, alongside other perceived slights.

The outraged missive begins: "I was reading your letter and wondering what middle aged cranky Beatle fan wrote it…

"I resisted looking at the last page to find out—I kept thinking who is it…What the hell—it's Linda!"

Over the next few paragraphs he tears into the couple for buying into the Beatles hype and for their rudeness to his partner Yoko Ono.

He finishes: "Finally, about not telling anyone that I left the Beatles—PAUL and [new manager Allen] Klein both spent the day persuading me it was better not to say anything—asking me not to say anything because it would 'hurt the Beatles'—and 'let's just let it petre out'—remember?

"So get that into your petty little perversion of a mind, Mrs. McCartney".

The letter is a revealing window into the band's acrimonious breakup, triggered in part by the death of much-loved manager Brian Epstein.

Despite its vicious tone, Paul and John would reconcile later that year.

They would meet up several times before John was killed in 1980.

You can check out all our music memorabilia for sale here.

Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about music memorabilia auctions.

Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£2,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock