Originally owned and played by John’s bandmate Rod Davis in The Quarrymen – the band that would later evolve into The Beatles – the instrument is now on display at the attraction, giving Beatles fans the chance to delve deeper into the band’s rich heritage.
The banjo, which is kindly on loan from collector Ashley Davie, will go on display alongside the world-renowned collection of artefacts on display at Strawberry Field, including the famous ‘Imagine’ piano, on which Lennon composed one of the greatest peace anthems of the 20th century.
The banjo was played by Rod at all The Quarrymen’s early gigs, including the historic Woolton Village Fete on 6 July 1957 - the day John first met Paul McCartney.
“The banjo was also played by John Lennon,” recalls Rod Davis, 83. “If he broke a string mid-song, he’d grab my banjo and carry on, the chords his mother taught him worked perfectly on it. I’d quickly fix his guitar so we could swap back before the next number. So not only did John play this banjo, but his mother Julia did too.”
Lennon's 'Lost Weekend' glasses wore during the period he spent in Los Angeles between 1973 and 1975 - are among the main items up for bidding at Music Memorabilia Live Auction in London.
This auction brings together some of the most significant pieces of music history, from stage-used guitars and handwritten lyrics to iconic wardrobe and personal artifacts.
The glasses are one of the most recognisable personal items of Lennon memorabilia and are estimated to sell for between $198,000 and $396,000 (£148,000 and £297,000).
"Never known as a violent person and more famous for his involvement with the peace movement, John Lennon's glasses came to market due to a scuffle with Tom Smothers at the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles," revealed Propstore's Mark Hochman.
"After the incident, Smothers' wife collected the glasses, phoned her friends, and hosted a party where, apparently, guests were thrilled to wear John's trademark glasses.
"There's full photographic documentation that shows Lennon entering the Troubadour on 12 March 1974, and leaving without them."
- The final photos taken of John Lennon on Dec 8, 1980, by Paul Goresh sold for $100,000; and the camera that took them for $5,900; the last book signed by Lennon sold for $18,000.
Highlights of the collection include:
Rare Beatles Ice Cream Box Sells For Over $3,000
Last Book Signed By John Lennon Sold For $18,000
Rare photos from the 16 Magazine archives
Unseen behind-the-scene photos on the set of Help!
One-of-a-kind negatives taken by Astrid Kirchherr in 1961
Numerous concert tickets from 1964-65
Rare toys, bubble gum cards, ephemera
Large stash of Beatles Fan Club memorabilia
Signed books by George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney
Over 1,000 The Beatles magazines
