Expert: Pattie - 9/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: I recently got a self portrait lithograph? of John Lennon. Unfortunately it did not come with a coa. It has his signature (print) on it and it is numbered 707/1000. I've tried finding anything I could about it on Google but now luck. Just wondering if you could give me any information about this piece.
Thanks,
Brandi

ANSWER: Hi Brandi!

I love that particular drawing of John's and have it tattooed on my arm! Unfortunately, without a certificate of authenticity, you're taking the word of whatever dealer you bought it from. Can you let me know where you got it? That may make it easier to determine if it's genuine. I have to say though, there's a good possibility that it's a forgery. John only did one set of lithographs in his lifetime, the "Bag One" lithographs. A lithograph by its very nature has to be either done by or authorised by the artist. In John's case, his widow Yoko Ono has final say on any lithographs created with his name attached to it. I attended a showing of John's art a few months ago and that one was available, but only as a print with nine of the images on a single page. All of the lithographs that I saw were signed by Yoko and also had John's "chop" mark (an asian signature) on them. All of John's art should have a letter of some sort with "ŠThe Estate of John Lennon" or "Licensed through Bag One Arts, Inc." printed on it. If you can give me some more background on how you got this particular one I'll do the best I can to help you with it. In the meantime, thanks so much for the question!

Peace,
Pattie
8^)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your quick response. I actually got it from a small antique mall with different lots on consignment and this was in a case with some other memorabilia. I'm sorry I don't have anymore info about it.

Answer
Hi again, Brandi...

Without knowing the history of the piece, it's really impossible to know where it came from. I've done some research and know of no time that this particular drawing was ever available as a limited edition of 1000 as a lithograph. Unfortunately, I don't believe it's an actual lithograph. None of the markings that should be on it are indicated, such as John's chop mark or Yoko's signature. It's possible that it was an art print, and not a lithograph. The one set of lithos that John did in his lifetime was a limited run of 300, all hand signed by John, and that drawing is not among the fourteen drawings included in that set. The antique mall, if they had it on consignment, should have gotten information from the person who gave it to them to sell. Perhaps you can contact the mall and ask for the name of the person who left it with them. I wish I had better news for you. There are some things that just require a lot of information to determine and this is one of them. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more assistance. If you DO come up with some further info, please send me a follow up.

Peace,
Pattie
8^)