Handwritten letter from John Lennon to Eric Clapton headed for auction

A handwritten letter which sees John Lennon sending a new band to Eric Clapton is going under the auctioneer's hammer.

The eight-page letter, which is dated September 29, 1971, is a draft of the final version sent to Clapton that same year. With steering wheel International Autograph Auctions Europe SLthe consignment will be auctioned on December 5 for an expected sale price of €100,000 – €150,000 (approx. $104,000 – $157,000), with bidding open now.

The contents of the letter indicate the beginning of what could have been an interesting chapter in the history of rock music, with Lennon asking Clapton to form a new band.

“You should know by now that Yoko and I have rated your music and yourself very highly, always,” the letter begins. As Lennon continues, he touches on Clapton's current dark period, which was marred by heroin addiction and a retreat from public appearances.

“Eric, I know I can bring out something great, actually greater in you that has been evident in your music up until now,” adds Lennon. “I hope to bring out the same greatness in all of us that I know will happen if/when we get together.”

The letter eventually floats the idea of ​​Clapton appearing as part of the prospective band, which would include former Plastic Ono Band members Klaus Voorman, Jim Keltner, Nicky Hopkins and Phil Spector. “And of course we had you!!! in our minds we just decided,” he continues.

At the time of writing, Clapton had previously performed as part of the Plastic Ono Band, appearing as part of the group's iterations that existed between September and December 1969.

“Please don't be alarmed, I understand the paranoia, very well,” adds Lennon with the expected hesitation at the end of his letter. “I think it can only do you good to work with people who love and respect you, and that's from all of us.”

Ultimately, Clapton would turn down Lennon's offer to join the 'superstar' band.

The draft letter also includes many corrections and edits, although it is unknown what the final version sent to Clapton looked like. It is not the first time that the letter has gone up for sale, however, with a 2012 auction expecting the item to sell for a total of $30,000.