POWER TO THE PEOPLE: THE POLITICAL THOUGHTS OF JOHN LENNON. de LENNON, John:

London: New English Library. 1972. Uncorrected Proof Copy of this unpublished book. Original green printed card covers, in the dustwrapper. Housed in a purpose made quarter black morocco solander case. An excellent fine copy, without inscriptions or stamps. Illustrated throughout. Complete with the near fine lightly creased dustwrapper with the publisher's stamp reading 'Publication 20 APR 1972' to the underside. The dustwrapper illustration is by Tony Lamb, the image repeated without colour as an illustration in the book. The book, had it made publication, would almost certainly have been issued with a laminated hardcover or as a paperback original so the dustwrapper seen here is most likely the proof artwork for the upper and lower covers (a theory further supported by the very thin and completely blank flaps). Loosely laid in is the publisher's slip with the signature in red ink of Mark Howell, underneath which Peter Haining has signed and inscribed, 'The compiler of this little opportunist book which was never published!' Rare. We are aware of only two other copies, both lacking the dustwrapper / cover artwork; one copy in the Raymond Danowski Poetry Library at Emory University, the other sold at auction in 2006 (front cover detached). Provenance: Mark Howell, editor New English Library; then to Peter Haining, editorial director New English Library. The best John Lennon book never published! Compiled from interviews given by Lennon over 1970 and 1971, the book was due to be published by New English Library in April 1972 but was pulled at the last minute. There are several theories for this, the strongest being that the publication might jeopardise John's already troublesome application for his US Green Card, a fight that started following his deportation in February 1972 up until being granted permanent residency in July 1976. Further details and images for any of the items listed are available on request. Lucius Books welcomes direct contact with our customers.