GRAPEFRUIT by ONO, Yoko; introduction by LENNON, John; [PEEL, John]:

London: Sphere Books Ltd. 1971. First UK paperback edition. First UK paperback edition. Inscribed presentation copy from John and Yoko Lennon to John Peel. Publisher's original pictorial card covers. John Lennon contributes an introduction and two illustrations. A better than very good copy of this notoriously fragile production. The binding square and firm and with a little rubbing and light creasing to the extremities, the spine with a touch of fading as often. The contents are entirely complete and without loose or torn pages. The paper stock, toned as usual is otherwise clean throughout. Mild staining to the closed text block edge. An attractive example. Whilst signed copies of this volume do appear on the market from time to time (there was brief signing event on 16th July 1971 at Claude Gill's bookshop in Oxford Street, London), genuine presentation copies are rare, this example of significant association. Inscribed by Yoko Ono in brown ink on the front endpaper "To John and Pig / love and Peace / Yoko" to which John Lennon has added "+ John" and drawn portraits of himself and Yoko in addition to a balloon on which he inscribes the date "71". An outstanding presentation copy from the Lennons to the pioneering DJ, broadcaster, producer and journalist, John Peel and his wife Shirley ("Pig") Ravenscroft. From the 1960s until a year before his death in 2004, Peel represented the vanguard of musical innovation, using his position as a long-serving radio broadcaster with Britain's most prominent station to promote and celebrate some of the country's finest talent. He arguably did more for modern music than any single broadcaster, helping launch the careers of countless musicians, including: The Sex Pistols, Pink Floyd, Joy Division, Nirvana, The Undertones, The Fall, T-Rex, David Bowie, The Cure, The Clash, The Damned and Queen. Provenance: John [Ravenscroft] Peel; presentation from John and Yoko Lennon. Included is a letter of provenance from the Ravenscroft family. Further details and images for any of the items listed are available on request. Lucius Books welcomes direct contact with our customers.