Eight c. 1981 black / white prints, 8” x 10”, each signed in silver ink by photographer David Spindel.

Images include: portrait of John Lennon, John playing a guitar (4 separate images), John singing, John’s jacket hanging on studio wall, “Hard Times Are Over” lyrics. Unpublished.

John Lennon, The Last Sessions Photographs

In mid-November, 1980, accomplished photographer David Spindel, whose work has appeared in many books, was asked to photographically document a recording session that was to take place at New York City’s well known Hit Factory. Without knowing specifics of the assignment, Mr. Spindel was wary.

Would he even get paid for his work? Nevertheless, with assurances from intermediaries, the photographer showed up. Upon arriving, his first encounter was with a woman who looked vaguely familiar. (As Dave later put it, “People look different when seeing them in person.”) He then was escorted into a studio where a man was lying on a mat getting a massage.

As it turned out, the woman was Yoko Ono. And the gentleman being massaged... none other than John Lennon!

The famed musician’s relaxed manner set the tone for the photographic work that followed on a day that Mr. Spindel will never forget. Tragically, it was less than three weeks later when John Lennon was gunned down in front of his Central Park West home, barely a mile from where the two men, if only for a day, worked together.

The occasion lives on in the mind of the now octogenarian photographer, for who couldn't have known that that fateful recording session was to be the last time Mr. Lennon was to appear before a professional lens. To this day, the majority of photographs taken that day remain unpublished.

Please Note: The purchaser receives no rights in the lot except the ownership of the physical print. No intellectual property rights are conveyed in the print.

This is an online only sale. Items may be viewed upon appointment in New York City.

Notice to bidders: More detailed condition reports and additional photographs are available by request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in excellent condition. Please message us through the online bidding platform or call Guernsey's at 212-794-2280 to request a more thorough condition report.