/ 24 August 2011

John Lennon’s landing card expected to fetch £15 000 at auction

A form John Lennon filled out months before he was shot dead in which he described his occupation as “hazardus” (sic) is being sold at auction.

Lennon completed the form — a sample airline embarkation card for Japan that was supposed to be used before filling in the real document — with childish and teasing answers.

He gave his name as “Blow Job” and described his nationality as “Weird”.

Next to date of birth he wrote: “Yes, Yes, Yes.” His passport issuing authority was “God Of Air”.

Lennon is believed to have completed the card in 1980, not long before he was killed outside his New York apartment by Mark Chapman, and so it is the former Beatle’s answer in the occupation box that makes the document poignant and valuable.

The card is being sold by London-based auctioneers the Fame Bureau and is expected to fetch around £15,000.

James Wilkinson, from the sale room, said: “We know this was completed in 1980 — the year he died. It highlights Lennon’s sense of humour and the rather childish and crude answers he gave show his unique wit. It is a wonderful collector’s item and piece of memorabilia.” The item is being sold by a private collector.