McCartney Tribute to Lennon, and Syd Barrett Handwritten Lyrics to Auction

RR Auction's Marvels of Modern Music sale features items related to Paul McCartney, Jim Morrison, and Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd.

Leading the auction is a handwritten letter by McCartney on his custom 'Paul McCartney US' letterhead around 2005 to Q magazine, offering a reflection on John Lennon. Signed "love, Paul," the letter was discovered within the archives of Bauer Media following the publication's closure. "He was, and still is, the heroic figure whose wit and wisdom, with a little help from his friends, shaped the thoughts and lives of millions," writes McCartney. "It's impossible to sum up in a short letter how & why I love John…"

"He was a mate through our teenage years in Liverpool, he was the guy I sat across from as we worked out how to write songs, he was the man I admired as we evolved through the madness of fame, fortune, and 'fabness,'"


"In terms of Beatles memorabilia, this is as personal as it gets," said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. "A signed letter in Paul's own hand, reflecting on John's impact and their friendship, it's a singular piece of pop culture history."

Also going under the hammer are original handwritten lyric sheets for Pink Floyd’s 1967 single Apples and Oranges by founding member Syd Barrett. From the collection of manager Peter Jenner, this was Barrett’s last single before his 1968 departure, written in ballpoint across two sheets of off-white notebook paper. The lyric sheet features a heading and chord notations in Barrett’s hand.

An unusual lot consists of 12 candid backstage and concert photographs taken by 14-year-old fan of The Doors Don Hickman who won a local radio contest in Toronto, 1968, to meet the band. After signing autographs in the Hickman family’s basement bar - and helping himself to a full tumbler of 12-year-old Scotch - Jim Morrison took Don on an impromptu detour through downtown Toronto, ducking into bars while the underage teen waited outside. The photos are accompanied by a full set of signatures from Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore. 

Other standout signatures include Queen, The Who, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones. The Marvels of Modern Music auction is open for bidding and will conclude on June 19.