Signed book: An Atlas of Anatomy for Artists by Fritz Schider. Third American edition. NY: Dover Publications, 1957. Hardcover, 8 x 11, 189 plates with preface, introduction, and bibliography. Signed on the blank page opposite Plate 97 in black felt tip, "John Lennon, 77" and "Yoko Ono," with the former adding a wonderful full-length sketch of the couple and the latter writing her husband's name in Japanese characters to the right side. In fine condition. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from noted Beatles expert Frank Caiazzo, who writes: “While facial caricatures of the Lennons drawn by John from this period are fairly common – full body caricatures are not. The scarcity of full-length caricatures of John and Yoko from any period cannot be understated, and as this is one of very few, it is extremely desirable.”
Also accompanying the book is a laminated copy of an article from the December 8, 1983, issue of the Japanese newspaper, the Kyoto Shimbun, which contains an image of the book and its internal sketch being held by its original recipient, a young Buddhist monk named Shuji Okumura. The article features provenance of the signed sketch and reads, in part (translated): “The Buddhist monk, Shuji Okumura (29 years old, at Nyoraiji Temple, Omiya-nishi-iru, Rokkaku-dori, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto), works in the finance division of Chion-in, the Head Temple of Jodo Shu of Buddhism…Okumura explained that he met Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono in the early summer of 1979, a year before Lennon's death. Okumura was working at the general information office in Chion-in and noticed Yoko among the visitors. He remembered her face from a special television program featuring the Beatles. Then he asked the couple if he could have Lennon's signature as a memento. Maybe because it was a request from a monk, Lennon accepted. Okumura handed him a Western book and Lennon quickly drew with a marker a self-portrait of him and his wife on one of the pages and signed it. Yoko added 'John Lennon' in Chinese characters 如雲玲音…
In return, Okumura, a graduate of Bukkyo University who enjoys painting, gave Lennon a wood-block print of the Buddha that he drew himself as well as a commemorative red-ink stamp. Just before the third anniversary of Lennon's death, Okumura, in his traditional monk's robe, honored the memory of Lennon's character: ‘As I recall, the couple visited sometime in May or June. Mr. Lennon seemed to be a gentle person and very much devoted to Yoko. I see many celebrities visit this place, but he was a shining person among them.’”
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