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Lennon/Ono signed grapefruit book on Dec 8th 1980.Hours before he was killed.

I was offered a chance to buy this signed Grapefruit book last week,It was signed for Laurie Kaye who was part of the RKO radio team that interviewed the Lennons on the afternoon of Dec 8th 1980(hours before his death).It also comes with a copy of a photo that was taken with Laurie and the Lennons on that afternoon.Sorry about the blurry photo.Asking price was 33k.I passed on it a week ago ,I do want to go back to him with a counter offer.what do u guys think it is worth.any thoughts would be appreciated.thx in advance.

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It certainly is a unique and desirable item, with a nice signature and face doodles. I'm not sure what a fair price would be, but hope you're able to add it to your collection.

Thanks Mark.I hope so too!
In my humble opinion...if he was willing to part with it for 25k, I would do it...if I had the money. To be honest, if 33k wasn't a problem for me, I would pay that too. To me this is such an incredible piece of history that it's hard to pass up. It's really one-of-a-kind. The day John Lennon died a part of the world died too. I don't want to sound too dramatic, but that event shook the world. There will never be another Lennon, and to have something he signed on that tragic day is...well...just incredible. This is a piece that I think will greatly increase in value. I don't think 25k is close to its ceiling. Maybe I'm wrong, but it's just too incredible of a piece of history for its value not to go further north. There no way I could afford it, but if you can, I wouldn't pass it up. That's just my two cents.

Paul (H that is),

I wouldn't get too hung up about possible values. What something as unusual, interesting and attractive (Eric L. would love the placement and clarity) as this would fetch at auction is anyone's guess. Depends on where it is sold, who is "there" (physically or on the internet), how much at least two of them want it and how much the bidders can afford on that day. Either way, I cannot see you "losing your shirt" if you have time to sell it properly.

One thing you have to remember though is that whatever sale result is published, 40-50% of it is usually going to the auctioneer. For you to get $20k back someone has to shell out about $35-$40k.

I am like you in that I don't like paying over the odds and, if there is time, I will research past sale results as well. However, there is a danger (that I see in myself) of getting too scientific about it all and becoming someone who "knows the price everything and the value of nothing".

I have bought very few collectables of any kind for more than $5,000, so this one would be way out of my comfort zone, but I'm not absolutely sure I would pay a really huge amount for it. It is not the Chapman LP, it is in a book (therefore tricky to display) and, as the other Paul said, it is sad to think that it was signed only hours before death. Maybe also somewhat ghoulish perhaps.

I presume it has a cast iron written provenance and the seller can trace it back to the original recipient somehow. If so, and you like it, just go for it. As the dealers always say, "where will you find another?".

 

40 or 50 percent, i dont think so. I haven't consigned anything
Where ive been charged that.
I agree pug that what it would fetch at auction would depend on who's there,how much they are willing to spent at that moment ,if there is a bidding war for the item.Anything can happen at auction to either drive price up or it can sit there and have no action at all.Putting a value on it is difficult .Just the thought of owning one of the last things He signed on the day he was killed blows my mind.like James said it is an incredible piece of history.You can also argue that it's worth what u are willing to pay for it.Every one has a different number in their heads as to what it's worth .what I think it's worth and what I would pay for it might be different in your eyes,or anyone else's for that matter and so on.
I also agree with Paul that 40-50% is a bit much.Ive also never seen that much.
Usually 20-22.5% to the buyer and around 10% to the seller.i think a global average would be more like 30%.i spoke with Jason from tracks about it.He has seen the item before and he knows the history about it on that day.Provenance is not an issue here.
In closing ,I think all of us on this thread would love to have such a piece of history.what it's worth is why we are all here talking about it.I am gonna make him an offer tomorrow and see what happens .I believe in fate and if it's meant to be ,it will be .if not then Ill move on ,no harm no foul.
In closing I think I speak for all on this thread that it is a very special piece

Hi, Paul & Paul

I totally agree that it is a great piece and it would grace any collection. Good luck with your offer.

I also agree that 40-50% was a bit on the high side re the auctioneer's cut but I was reckoning on around 20%-25% buyer's premium (including things like credit card fees and sales tax) and around 20%-25% seller's premium (including sales tax etc.) I think Heritage charge 20% seller's premium for $1k+ items. Maybe 30-40% would have been a fairer estimate for the auctioneer's total cut of the published "realised price" - but it is still a fair amount..

I offered him 20k this afternoon,he didn't shoot it down.Im waiting for him to probably counter at this point.
Good luck Paul.
Thanks bud

Good luck! I have been following this. It is a superb item. How many are known signed that day again? A different animal yes (to me, that would be one of those holiday 79/80 cards), but this, signed Dec. 8th, is almost alien in comparison.

From what I know.He signed a few items at the interview and studio before he left for home.I think 5 to 6 items.if anyone else k ow more about that....we would like to know.
I'm hoping he comes close to.my offer.

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