Amazing and heartfelt original drawing by Sutcliffe on the reverse of an off-white 8 x 4 sheet of imprinted Bruno Koschmider Betriebe Kaiserkeller stationery. The composite ink sketch shows a self-portrait of Sutcliffe and a portrait of his girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr inside a heart, with a silhouette of the couple walking hand in hand apparently on a beach, with Sutcliffe writing at the top, “I love you Astrid, with all my heart and soul. Stuart.” On the reverse of the sketch, Sutcliffe has written, “Melancholy me.” This exact drawing is illustrated on page 136 of the book Hamburg Days by Astrid Kirchherr and Klaus Voormann. Archivally double glass matted and framed (so both sides are visible) with a signed photo of Kirchherr, as well as an unsigned portrait of Sutcliffe, taken and printed by Kirchherr from her original circa 1960-61 negative, and signed on the reverse in pencil by Kirchher, to an overall size of 22.5 x 16. In fine condition, with a vertical fold to left of drawings, a bit of trivial toning, and some light show-through from printing and writing on reverse.
To describe this offered sketch as “unique” does not do it justice. The band’s original bassist still holds a spot as the “fifth Beatle” and, in his own right, has secured acclaim as an artist and poet before his untimely passing; he was only 21 when he died in 1962 from bleeding in the brain. This composition combines the youthful exuberance of being in love but the mature stylings of an artisan. For Kirchherr, this piece meant something special...a representation of love lost. She kept it, treasured it no doubt, for nearly 40 years before selling it to a private party in 2002. Now, for the first time, it is offered for sale. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RRAuction COA.
