Autographed John Lennon Album Up for Auction

Five hours before Mark David Chapman shot John Lennon he had autographed a copy of “Double Fantasy” for his killer.  After Chapman murdered Lennon, the autographed album was found at the entrance to the Dakota by Phillip Michael, a maintenance man at the Dakota.

Michael had been at a wrestling match at Madison Square Garden that night when his friend who said he would give him a lift home failed to turn up.  As he walked back home he came across Lennon’s house moments after the shooting and just as the crowd was beginning to form.

Chapman had stored the album in a planter next to the Dakota building where it fell on to Michael’s head.  He put it back, it fell out once more, then a third time at which point he decided to keep it.  Later that night when he later shared a taxi with a reporter Michael finally learned what had happened, and the importance of the album that had landed on his head.

Michael gave the album to police, who later returned it to him after the investigation into Lennon's death.  Nearly 20 years later Michael sold the album, complete with police evidence tags and Chapman’s fingerprints, to an anonymous collector for $165,000.  Chapman has over the years tried to get the album back but his attempts have failed.

Now, as we near the 30^th anniversary of Lennon’s death, the album is again up for sale.   Autograph dealer Gary Zimet, who first sold the album to an anonymous buyer is offering the album for $850,000.

Says Zimet, "The current owner doesn't want to be named because he received death threats."