Lock of John Lennon’s hair sells for thousands
By Amanda Jackson
CNN
A lucky bidder made the cut and is adding to their memorabilia collection four inches of The Beatles star’s hair.
The nearly 50-year-old lock of hair sold in Dallas for $35,000 on Saturday. Texas-based Heritage Auctions announced the winner of the British star’s hair was Paul Fraser, an active buyer of entertainment memorabilia who is based in the UK.
“This is the largest lock of John Lennon’s hair ever offered at auction,” said Garry Shrum, director of music memorabilia at Heritage, “and this world-record price is a lasting testament to the world’s more than 50-year love affair and fascination with Lennon and the Beatles.”
Lennon played the role of Private Gripweed in “How I Won the War,” a dark comedy about a fictional British army troop. In preparation for the movie, hairdresser Klaus Baruck had to cut off Lennon’s long locks in 1966.
“Baruck was so excited about the opportunity to transform Lennon’s famous Beatles mop top that he called the local newspaper to record the event,” Eric Bradely, spokesman for Heritage Auctions, told CNN.
Along with the lock of hair, Fraser won two vintage newspapers discussing the makeover Lennon had to star in the movie and a signed call sheet that Baruck had preserved.
“Baruck took such pride in his 15 minutes of fame that he was a guest in the CBS show ‘I’ve Got a Secret’ in late 1966,” said Bradley.
“The contestants had to guess who he was: the man who cut John Lennon’s hair.”
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