![The Penguin John Lennon [with] Grapefruit.](http://shapero.com/cdn/shop/files/109035_1_1135x700.jpg?v=1698335330)
Introduction by John Lennon.
London; New York, Penguin Books; Touchstone book, Simon and Shuster, 1969; 1971.
Rare literary association copies with original doodles by Lennon and a ms poem by Ono. A fantastic opportunity to own two rare literary association copies of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's best-known works.
The Penguin is inscribed by Lennon 'To Kate with love - happy new year! John. 71'. The inscription incorporates Lennon's double cartoon faces of himself and Yoko of which we have never seen better. The recipient was the writer and philosopher Kate Millett, author of the groundbreaking Sexual Politics and one of the most important feminist writers of her generation. Presentation copies of Lennon's works with authorial association are of the utmost scarcity. Kate Millett, Lennon and Ono were friends from the late sixties until John's death in 1980. Ono, Millett and Sophie Kier, remained close thereafter.
The Grapefruit is inscribed by the author 'To Kate from Yoko', with an original manuscript poem in Japanese in Ono's hand which translates roughly as 'Oh aren't the white birds sad. They float pretty apart from any of the blue colours of sky and ocean.' At this time, of course John and Yoko were fully in their white phase, they had also been largely alienated from the realm of the Beatles world. Were they the sad white birds? We suspect they were.
A marvellous association copy with the facsimile 'Statement' by John Lennon: 'Grapefruit is a beautiful and profound book / from the genius of one of the worlds (sic) most important artists. / In future it will be used widely by people with / time on their hands, it will help them to live / John Lennon / Ascot MAY 24th 1971.'
'Grapefruit is one of the monuments of conceptual art of the early 1960s, she has a lyrical, poetic dimension that sets her apart from the other conceptual artists. Her approach to art was only made acceptable when white men like Kosuth and Weiner came in and did virtually the same thing as Yoko, but made them respectable and collectible' (David Bourdon).
Third impression of 'The Penguin', signed presentation inscription by the author; 8vo; original doodles in pen by Lennon; publisher's illustrated pink wrappers, test printed in various colours, somewhat browned and a little faded, very good. First US edition of 'Grapefruit', wrappers issue; MS poem by Ono; in publisher's photographic wrappers, creased and marked, upper joint starting to split, upper wrapper nearly detached, good.
The Penguin is inscribed by Lennon 'To Kate with love - happy new year! John. 71'. The inscription incorporates Lennon's double cartoon faces of himself and Yoko of which we have never seen better. The recipient was the writer and philosopher Kate Millett, author of the groundbreaking Sexual Politics and one of the most important feminist writers of her generation. Presentation copies of Lennon's works with authorial association are of the utmost scarcity. Kate Millett, Lennon and Ono were friends from the late sixties until John's death in 1980. Ono, Millett and Sophie Kier, remained close thereafter.
The Grapefruit is inscribed by the author 'To Kate from Yoko', with an original manuscript poem in Japanese in Ono's hand which translates roughly as 'Oh aren't the white birds sad. They float pretty apart from any of the blue colours of sky and ocean.' At this time, of course John and Yoko were fully in their white phase, they had also been largely alienated from the realm of the Beatles world. Were they the sad white birds? We suspect they were.
A marvellous association copy with the facsimile 'Statement' by John Lennon: 'Grapefruit is a beautiful and profound book / from the genius of one of the worlds (sic) most important artists. / In future it will be used widely by people with / time on their hands, it will help them to live / John Lennon / Ascot MAY 24th 1971.'
'Grapefruit is one of the monuments of conceptual art of the early 1960s, she has a lyrical, poetic dimension that sets her apart from the other conceptual artists. Her approach to art was only made acceptable when white men like Kosuth and Weiner came in and did virtually the same thing as Yoko, but made them respectable and collectible' (David Bourdon).
Third impression of 'The Penguin', signed presentation inscription by the author; 8vo; original doodles in pen by Lennon; publisher's illustrated pink wrappers, test printed in various colours, somewhat browned and a little faded, very good. First US edition of 'Grapefruit', wrappers issue; MS poem by Ono; in publisher's photographic wrappers, creased and marked, upper joint starting to split, upper wrapper nearly detached, good.
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
