[ Autographs ] JOHN LENNON (1940 - 1980) English singer and songwriter, the inspirational genius behind the success of The Beatles, murdered outside his New York apartment. A superb original drawing executed in red marker on lightly-lined blue graph paper by Lennon in 1970, 8 1/4" x 11.5in, comprised of four sketches, one beinga clown figure, profile portraits of an elderly crowned king and an attractive lady, with a frontal self-portrait of Lennon. Accompanied by a lengthy letter of provenance from Yoko Ono's first husband, Tony Cox, 1995, describing the drawing's background: "...[the self-portraitwas drawn] at the time John was describing to me an LSD trip in which he said the drawing was related; hence the drawing of himself with long hair and a beard, but no glasses. John was looking in the mirror as he made the drawing...only glancing at the paper...[the lady] is a profile of Melinda, my second wife..." Cox also notes the drawing of the clown and king were likely related to ideas Lennon had for illustrating a children's book proposed by Yoko. Fine condition, and a great item for display.