Rare Beatles lyrics up for auction

LONDON (Reuters) - John Lennon's hand-written lyrics for the Beatles song "I'm Only Sleeping", scribbled on the back of a final demand bill, are expected to reach up to £200,000 when they go on sale on Wednesday.

The first working draft of the lyrics, penned by Lennon in 1966 for the "Revolver" album, is briefer than the final recorded version and several deletions, alterations and variations were made to the text.

It will be auctioned by Christie's in London.

The 17 lines, mostly written in blue felt pen, have been held in a private collection for over 30 years and are appearing at auction for the first time.

A recording of a Beatles concert and a previously unheard interview with Lennon and Yoko Ono are also up for sale.

The only existing recording of a concert in Hong Kong in 1964, made by a journalist in the audience using a portable tape recorder, is expected to reach up to 40,000 pounds, Christie's said.

The Lennon-Ono interview was conducted in 1969 at a "Bed In For Peace" protest in Canada. Christie's says it has never been broadcast and has been locked away in a trunk ever since. It is expected to reach up to £20,000.


(sent to me by smeone in Reuters)