John Lennon and Brian Epstein Signed Book, a British First Edition of Lennon's In His Own Write (London: Jonathan Cape, 1964).  A book of nonsensical poems, short stories, and drawings, published March 23, 1964, in England by Jonathan Cape and in America by Simon and Schuster. Size is 5.25" x 7" in a hardbound pictorial cover with a now-famous photo of John by Robert Freeman on the front, seventy-nine pages, heavily illustrated. On the lower left of the front pastedown is the price: "9s. 6d. net". Just above that is a beautiful signature of the Beatles' manager "Brian Epstein". Across from that, on the first free front endpaper is a signature of the author: "John Lennon". This was the first Beatle solo project of any sort. Very desirable signed by both. Book is clean and tight with light cover wear, fine.

One month after the book's publication, a Foyle's Literary Luncheon was held in his honor at the Dorchester Hotel to celebrate sales of more than 100,000 books. Unbeknownst to him, he was expected to make a speech. Cynthia gives an account of the night before the luncheon: "On the eve of the event John and I, and a few friends, went out for dinner and eventually landed up at the Adlib, a club very popular with pop stars and celebrities. Totally ignorant of what was to be our fate the following day, we drank, danced and enjoyed ourselves with gay abandon until the very early hours of the morning." (A Twist of Lennon). When John was called upon to speak, all he said was: "Thank you all very much. God bless you. You've got a lucky face!". When later asked why he didn't say more, he replied, "Because I daren't, y' know. I was scared stiff, that's why. Give me another fifteen years. I might make a speech. Not yet." COA from Heritage Auctions.