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!


Friday

Geisha




























Royal Doulton Figurine depicting a Japanese ‘Geisha’ girl playing a mandolin, HN1234
The figure stands approximately 7 inches high
The figure was potted in 1927 and is approximatley 80 years old
The designer was Charles Noke of Royal Doulton
It is of ‘first’ quality and in excellent condition,
This figure was previously owned by the late John Lennon of the Beatles, he purchased it in 1967 as a gift for Yoko Ono, they owned it until 1970 when it was given as a gift to Ken & Margaret Brunt, who were the Beatles haulage contractors in the 1960s
There are various documents as to the ‘provenance’ of the piece, such as ;
1. BBC Television’s antiques roadshow slot
2. Ken & Margaret Brunts Declaration
3. Sotherby’s auction catalogue entry – 1996

Tuesday

29 years ago today..

John Lennon was killed 29 years ago today in New York City when Mark David Chapman approached him and his wife Yoko Ono in front of their building, the Dakota, and shot Lennon.

John was just returning to his home around 11 p.m from the Record Plant Studio where he was recording new music. He was pronounced dead at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center after being shot five times by his assailant.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame writes that Lennon "did more than anyone else to shake [rock and roll] up, move it forward and instill it with a conscience."

Some of his most widely know songs of his post-Beatles career include, "Imagine," "Mind Games," "Instant Karma," and "Give Peace a Chance." The songs typify his desire to raise awareness for social change.

Chapman, a deranged fan, has been imprisoned since 1981 after pleading guilty to second degree murder. He is being held in the Attica Correctional Facility, outside of Buffalo, N.Y.
He has been denied parole five times.