What happened
Israel’s famed psychic and spoon-bender, Uri Geller, has secured John Lennon’s iconic blue-tinted glasses for a handsome £40,000 ($51,000) at a recent auction. The renowned auction took place on Wednesday at the Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey.
Why it matters
The purchase reinforces the close historical and cultural ties Geller shares with Lennon, reflecting a remarkable friendship that blossomed in New York in the 1970s. Geller plans to showcase the spectacles in his Tel Aviv museum, making it another key exhibit tied to the legacy of John Lennon, shedding light on a unique bond laced with tales of spirituality and extraterrestrial fascination.
The details
The glasses, gifted by Lennon to Michael, a Surrey resident, in 1968 as a birthday present, were auctioned off by Catherine Southon Auctions. According to the auction house, the gift took place at Abbey Road Studios, when Michael and his companion were guests of Lennon during a recoding session.
What they’re saying
“I was elated with the acquisition and look forward to displaying them next to an alien egg Lennon had given me,” Geller told the BBC.
“I knew I had to buy these glasses whatever. I would have gone up to £500,000.”
Michael recounted, “They are not John Lennon’s prescription glasses, but he gave them to me and wished me happy birthday, so that is good enough for me.” According to Michael, Lennon noticed him picking up a pair of glasses and declared, “He’s all right. In fact, he can have them. Happy birthday!”
The impact
John Lennon’s legacy transcends music, delving into spirituality and the unexplained, which highly resonated with Geller. “John changed my life; that’s where I learned about spirituality, you know,” Geller noted. Both men shared mutual beliefs in UFOs and unconventional thought realms, with Geller remembering Lennon as being “fascinated by my alien collection.”
The big picture
This significant acquisition adds to the substantial collection at Geller’s Tel Aviv museum, promising to attract John Lennon fans and collectors alike. It highlights Israel’s prominent figure Uri Geller’s connections with global icons and his ongoing efforts to preserve and share pieces of cultural history.
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This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.