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John Lennon Bag One Lithograph Real?

Came across this John Lennon Signed Lithograph, Erotic #6 from the Bag One Suite and curious as to any and all opinions of its authenticity.

Included is a signed document of authenticity, however I have also come across a number of the same lithographs, signed and numbered, that are reproductions.

Interested in any and all opinions of authenticity as to whether this is an original Erotic #6 Lithograph from the Origianl 1970 Bag One Suite.

Thank you!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/John-Lennon-Erotic-Art-Framed-Signed-No-6-...

Tags: Bag, Beatles, John, Lennon, One

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on October 19, 2020 at 10:52pm

But works are being altered visually, edited, flipped horizontally, colored etc. That seems a bit much.

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Permalink Reply by Brian182 on October 20, 2020 at 12:08am

I mean we can get into the morality of altering the prints, but ultimately the only thing I really object to of that nature would be a full on re-imagined original drawing by another artist that is then classified as "The Art of John Lennon"

The serigraph I own "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" I know for a fact to be a reproduction that is signed by Yoko, and embossed with Lennon's signature(not real) and chop mark. I knew all of these things when I purchased and enjoy the fact that it is a reproduction of Lennon's art and signed by Ono.

The author also seems to be lost on the fact that Ono was in fact married to Lennon and was his soulmate, partner, and lover. While Ono's intentions with Lennon's art after his death may be misguided, I choose to look at the bigger picture here(pun not intended).

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on October 20, 2020 at 10:12am

Here is another Bag One cert - this has an embossed Bag One Seal lacking in the OP:

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on October 20, 2020 at 10:22am

And a detail of another from a different cert:

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on October 20, 2020 at 11:55am

The original certs seem to be embossed but also printed on Cranes Best paper - 100% Cotton. Bowie used the same in 1980. I could just see the watermark and have brought it out. Wonder what paper the OP cert is on:

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Permalink Reply by Brian182 on October 22, 2020 at 9:13pm

So are you saying the certs with:

1. Cranes Best Paper Watermark

2. Embossed Bag One Seal

Are more likely of being genuine signatures than not?

After checking my Lennon serigraph that is signed by Ono, my cert has both the watermark and the embossed seal.

Wondering if I should ask the seller if the OP has these?

Many thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on October 22, 2020 at 9:24pm

Of course, ask! I believe it is the key here. Yes, I am saying that from what I researched the original cert is printed on Cranes Crest 100% cotton (made out of white shirtwaste) with the watermark I showed and bears the embossed stamp of Bag One as shown.

I didn't think anyone was listening! :)

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Permalink Reply by fab432 on October 23, 2020 at 2:16pm

I’ve been following this thread with some interest. The signature looks OK to me and I was surprised to read about all the questionable prints out there. Thanks to Eric for showing us pics of the watermark and embossed stamp.

In late 1990 there was a travelling show that came through Toronto and I purchased 2 prints (limited to 300 copies) - each for $950 Cdn which was a lot of money at the time. I just checked my certificates as I thought they were just printed on plain paper. I was happily to see they both have the Cranes Best watermark and the Bag One embossed stamp. That made me smile.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on October 23, 2020 at 2:27pm

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on October 23, 2020 at 3:18pm

Hi Fab,

I decided to post the rest of my thoughts on this as written to Brian:

"...

I don't know if Clifford ran off certs with numbers in the run after whatever went wrong between her and Yoko (I met Yoko - very nice). It is possible these are still later copies as Steve was saying were offered privately then and his concerns over the Clifford name/cert. The info I wrote about regarding the cert gets you partway there. The lithograph itself should be examined, with additional knowledge, for paper type and print quality, original dimensions and all, and then the signature on its own merits. Best to look at each peice of this puzzle separately. I'd look for as much period information as I could find regarding all these criteria/concerns. And remember, items and certs get separated more than we like. If I think of any more I will write again..."