By Stig Editor John Lennon’s ‘Smutty’ Love Letter to First Wife Cynthia Going Up for Auction
Rare handwritten letter reveals raunchy humor and tender side of the late Beatle
A rare and risqué piece of Beatles history is heading to the auction block: a handwritten love letter by John Lennon to his first wife, Cynthia Lennon, described by auctioneers as “smutty, humorous, and deeply personal.”
The letter, believed to have been written in the early 1960s at the height of Beatlemania, offers a fascinating glimpse into Lennon’s passionate—if sometimes cheeky—romantic life. Penned on hotel stationery during a tour, the note contains explicit innuendos, playful teasing, and heartfelt expressions of affection that reflect Lennon’s complex personality.
“It’s a mix of raunch and romance, very much in John’s voice,” said Darren Julian of Julian’s Auctions, the Los Angeles-based auction house managing the sale. “He’s being cheeky, but also loving. It’s not just a crude letter—it’s a snapshot of a young man in love, on the road, and clearly missing his wife.”
A Glimpse Behind the Curtain
Cynthia and John Lennon married in 1962, shortly before the Beatles rocketed to global fame. Their marriage, often overshadowed by Lennon’s later relationship with Yoko Ono, has been the subject of renewed interest among fans and historians. The letter offers a candid look at a time before the pressure of fame fully engulfed the couple.
In the note, Lennon jokingly refers to intimate moments between him and Cynthia, using his signature mix of absurdist humor and graphic innuendo. Though playful, the language is unmistakably NSFW—a departure from the more polished, public image of the Beatles during that era.
“Miss you terribly,” Lennon writes in one line. “Can’t wait to be back and do all those naughty things we never talk about in polite company.”
Auction Details
The letter will be up for bid at Julian’s “Music Icons” auction in Beverly Hills, scheduled for July 20, 2025. It is expected to fetch between $30,000 and $50,000, though some experts believe it could sell for more, given the intense demand for original Beatles memorabilia.
Alongside the letter, the auction will feature other rare items from the Lennon estate, including early sketches, personal notes, and photographs from the 1960s.
Public Reaction
Reaction to the upcoming auction has been swift, with fans split between amusement and fascination. Some see the letter as a charming, unfiltered peek into Lennon’s private world; others say it underscores the often-overlooked role Cynthia played in the Beatle’s early years.
“People forget how important Cynthia was in John’s life before Yoko,” said Beatles biographer Mark Lewisohn. “This letter reminds us of that—and shows the raw, human side of a musical legend.”
Whether you’re a die-hard Beatles collector or simply curious about the inner world of one of music’s most iconic figures, this letter is a rare opportunity to own a piece of rock and roll history—as irreverent and intimate as the man who wrote it.