Beatles Memorabilia: The Julian Lennon Collection

by Brian Southall, Julian Lennon

“I started collecting these personal pieces because I felt they belonged back in our family. This collection represents something of great importance to me, as it is part of our history.”--Julian Lennon
Over the years, Julian Lennon--John's oldest son--has built a unique collection of Beatles memorabilia, including several gold records, cells from the film Yellow Submarine , guitars, clothing (such as John's Afghan coat from Magical Mystery Tour ), jewelry, autographed books, handwritten lyrics, posters, and postcards. Now, for the first time, more than 100 of these personal treasures are displayed in print. Julian, working with well-known music author Brian Southall, provides insight into every one of these beloved pieces and explains what they mean to him--and the family memories they evoke.

 

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2010

About the author

Brian Southall worked as a journalist with Music Business Weekly, Melody Maker and Disc before joining A&M Records. He moved to EMI Records and EMI Music, where, during a 15 year career, he served in press, promotion, marketing, artist development and corporate communications. From 1989 he was a consultant to Warner Music International, HMV Group and both the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and the International Federation of the phonographic Industry (IFPI). Among other books, he has written are the official history of Abbey Road Studios and the Story of Northern Songs, both published by Omnibus Press.

Reviews

[Rashik Reza Nahiyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

বিটলস জ্বরে ভুগছি গত দুই মাস থেকে। কয়েকশ' গান, প্রতি রাতেই যেন নতুন নতুন করে কিছু গান খুব প্রিয় হয়ে ওঠছে। আমার আবার একটা ব্যাপার হল, হুট করে কিছু ভাল লেগে গেলে সেটা সম্পর্কে ডিটেইলস জানা চাইই চাই! নেট ঘাটাঘাটি যখন চলছে, হঠাৎ করেই ব্রিটিশ কাউন্সিলে দুটো বইয়ের হার্ড কপির সন্ধান পেলাম। একটা তো এটা, অন্যটা The John Lennon Letters: Edited and with an Introduction by Hunter Davies।

আমার একটা খুব খুব খুব বাজে স্বভাব হচ্ছে ছড়ায় ছিটায় বই পড়া, এক সাথে কয়টা বই পড়ছি আমি নিজেও বলতে পারবো না! এখানে পড়ার অবশ্য তেমন কিছু নেই, জন লেননের প্রথম স্ত্রীর সন্তান জুলিয়ান লেননের ব্যক্তিগত সংগ্রহগুলোর ছবি আর বিটলসের দুর্লভ কিছু ফোটোগ্রাফ দেওয়া আছে। জনের আঁকা স্কেচ, বিভিন্ন সময়ে প্রকাশিত অ্যালবামের আর্টওয়ার্ক দেখে ভাল লাগবেই। বিটলসের অন্যতম সদস্য, পলের সাথে জুলিয়ানের বেশ হৃদ্যতাপূর্ণ সম্পর্ক ছিল, প্রমাণ তাদের বেশ কিছু চিঠি। এখানে একটা মজার ব্যাপার হল, বিটলসের অন্যতম সেরা একটা গান, " হে জুড"- এটা মূলত সিনথিয়া আর জনের ডিভোর্সের পর তাদের ছেলে জুলিয়ানকে সান্তনা দেওয়ার জন্য ব্যান্ডের অন্যতম ভোকাল ও লিরিসিস্ট পলের একটা চিঠি! (হে জুল...) আর জন লেনন ভেবেছিল তার জীবনের উথাল-পাতাল দিকের কথা ভেবে পল তাকে নিয়ে এটা লিখেছে!

নিতান্ত বিটলস ফ্যান না হলে এই বইয়ে ইন্টারেস্টিং কিছুই পাবেন না। তবুও, অন্তত ছবিগুলো দেখার জন্য পাতার পর পাতা উলটে যান, খারাপ লাগবে না :)

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book detailing Julian Lennon's collection of Beatles memorabilia. There were some lovely little anecdotes by Julian in here explaining the connection he felt to certain items. This is a must read for any Beatles or John Lennon fan.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

My full and detailed review is at my website: http://rnrchemist.blogspot.com/2014/0...

I loved this book and enjoyed reading about Julian's memories of certain items in his collection. My only complaint is that I wish there was more of Julian and less of his co-author in the book.

[Ana Rusness-petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing treasure of a book!

Beatles Memorabilia: The Julian Lennon Collection is not just a coffee-table book to sit down with and flip through, but is packed with awesome high-quality images AND supportive and informative text that reveals much about John, Julian, and the Beatles' history.

I gained new perspectives on international music releases (the fact that a significant portion of Beatles' releases in the UK were pared down and/or rearranged for US releases - I always assumed they were identical, maybe just different release dates) and on Julian's relationships with the other members of the Beatles (what a great guy Paul is - continuing to be in touch with and send Julian things, even after John and Cynthia split up).

I initially purchased this book because I loved the concept, as a collector myself, and was curious to see how the layout and presentation worked, as well as what items the author placed value on as a collector. But you also walk away from this book knowing that Julian's collection is more than just a collection to him - it's a personal treasure. Most of the items Julian has spent time acquiring at auctions and through friends, he has obtained because they hold meaning and capture a moment or personal memory of time spent with his dad and his friends.

This book is definitely a success, and showcases a diverse and spanning collection of valuable and insightful Beatles items that go well beyond mere Beatles memorabilia. And the fact that a percentage of the proceeds from sales of the book go to Julian's White Feather Foundation just adds to the overall well-being one feels, experiencing this book.

Congratulations on a successful and wonderfully crafted creative product, Julian!!

[Roger Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't easily knock this book. As mainly a picture book, it does what it's meant to. Yet I also wanted to hear much more from Julian Lennon in the text.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly picture, mostly of gold record rewards. The rest of the pictures and Julian's notes about his memories of a few of the items make the book a fun one to flip through. It's very sad that he had to buy most of these items for himself.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for any Beatles fan.
Personal touches added with Julian's own memories on a number of items.
How sad that he has to purchase items from auctions.