Tittenhurst Park: John Lennon 'Bag One' Chicago Obscenity Trial document signature, 1970

Tittenhurst Park

This Tittenhurst Park blog is dedicated to John Lennon's home in Sunningdale, near Ascot, Berkshire between 1969 and 1971. The aim is to gather as much material relating to the estate as possible - obviously with the emphasis on the Lennon-era, but also concerning Tittenhurst Park as it was before and after John Lennon's ownership. In addition, there will be posts about and associated with the Beatles, plus any other rubbish I feel like. The blog is purely meant for the entertainment of anyone (assuming there is actually anyone) who, like me, has an unhealthy interest in one particular Georgian mansion. Those with anything interesting to contribute in the way of links, photos, scans, stories etc. please do contact me: tittenhurstlennon@gmail.com
(Legal: this blog is strictly non-commercial. All material is the property of the photographer/artist/copyright holder concerned. Any such who wishes a picture etc to be removed should contact me and I will do so. Alternatively, if someone is happy to see their photo on here, but would like a credit/link then let me know and I'll be happy to provide one).
Enjoy!

Tuesday

John Lennon 'Bag One' Chicago Obscenity Trial document signature, 1970

In March 1966 just two months after the Beatles released their US album Meet the Beatles, John Lennon declared the Fab Four more popular than Jesus Christ. An uproar ensured on both sides of the Atlantic.It would not be the last time Mr Lennon incited public outrage. In January 1970, police seized eight of 14 lithographs from an exhibit entitled Bag One at the London Art Gallery in England. The lithographs, drawn by Mr Lennon chronicled the marriage, honeymoon and ensuing media circus that surrounded his 1969 Bed-In for world peace with his new bride, Yoko Ono. Later in April, the exhibit moved to Chicago. Police closed down the exhibit and a DuPage County judge ordered that five of the works actually be burned.This lot comprises the actual charge sheet issued to the Merrill Chase Galleries in Chicago, Illinois which was raided in late 1969 for displaying obscene material namely five erotic lithographs. The actual summons served to the plaintive, the statutory remedy, the complaint sheet and the motion for destruction of obscene material signed by William V Hopf the State's Attorney. The hearing was heard without contest on 23 April 1970. These original documents No.70-993 G The 18th Judicial Circuit DuPage County, Illinois are accompanied by a large pencilled autograph clipped from the corner of one of the erotic lithographs by the person who was commissioned to burn the offending items. The autograph is framed and glazed with a press cutting relating to the obscenity trial.Overall measurement approx. 11 x 12 inch. (28 x 30 cm)

Tittenhurst Park