This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/1/2011
John Lennon gifts played Hohner harmonica to New York broadcasting legend and "king of nostalgia" Joe Franklin!Since antiquity, the collection and preservation of relics, objects which in one way or another came into possession of a departed spiritual leader, have mystified and excited the masses. The modern day equivalent, the collecting of memorabilia, has in the same way enthralled collectors and non-collectors alike. Certain objects become transcendent because of their universal appeal. Such is the case with the offered Hohner Marine Band "E" key harmonica, given to New York Media Icon Joe Franklin and owned by martyred musical legend John Lennon during the 1970s. Accompanied by impressive provenance, this relic was personally gifted by Lennon to famed talk show host Joe Franklin and his "Memory Lane" collection of memorabilia, Franklin states in the letter of provenance, "This very unique momento of John Lennon's history--Lennon's Hohner harmonica--hs been a central part of the Memory Lane collection since 1977 when John permanently retired it following his first of two personal appearances on the Joe Franklin Show. As it happened, John had previously asked me to have Yoko on my show as a guest because John was promoting Yoko as a musician and he wanted her to be taken seriously. So he contacted me and agreed he would make two appearances on my show if I hosted Yoko just once. True to his word, John appeared in 1977 and then again in 1978" Well preserved and in excellent condition. Accompanied by extensive provenance in the form of a photo of Franklin holding the harmonica, a copy of a detailed handwritten letter from Lennon to Franklin in which Lennon promotes and discusses Yoko's music, and a detailed Letter of Authenticity from The Joe Franklin Memory Lane Collection.