Someone just cashed out big on John Lennon’s green specs.
A pair of the late legendary Beatles member’s sunglasses sold for close to $183,000 (£137,500) in an auction at Sotheby’s London created by his former chauffeur Alan Herring. Apparently, the non-prescription round-rimmed shades, possibly handcrafted by Oliver Goldsmith, were gifted to Lennon in 1966 as he was preparing for his star turn in the British black comedy, How I Won the War, according to the listing.
In case you’re wondering how Herring acquired Lennon’s glasses, he revealed he’d discovered them while chauffeuring the “Imagine” musician one day in the summer of 1968. “I had picked John up with Ringo and George in Ringo’s Mercedes and driven the boys into the office. When John got out of the car I noticed that he’d left these sunglasses on the back seat and one lens and one arm had become disconnected,” Herring explained in a statement, per Rolling Stone. “I asked John if he’d like me to get them fixed for him. He told me not to worry they were just for the look! He said he’d send out for some that fit. I never did get them mended I just kept them as they were as John had left them.”
Despite the damage, it’s hardly irreparable, having merely a missing screw and slight scratching on the lens. As yet, the winning bidder has not been revealed publicly. (See photos of the specs here.)
Photo: Getty Images