Lennon's art on view at old home to mark his 65th 'birthday'

John Lennon

LIVERPOOL - The significance of his early interpretation of footballers and red Indians may have been lost on the young John Lennon as he sat in his Aunt Mimi's porch to work on his paintings.

But the 11-year-old's creations, along with a copy of his first passport and even one of his milk teeth, form part of an intimate new exhibition to mark the 65th anniversary year of the former Beatle's birth and 25 years since his death.

The exhibition, which opens officially tomorrow, is at his aunt's south Liverpool home, Mendips, where Lennon moved after his parents - ship's steward Alfred Lennon and Julia Stanley - separated. Its artefacts have been selected from the family archives and approved by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, who handed the semi-detached suburban house to the National Trust several years ago.

The replica paintings on display demonstrate the artistic ability Lennon shared with Paul McCartney and, particularly in the case of the footballers, will be familiar to some Lennon enthusiasts. The football picture provided the album cover for Lennon's 1974 album Walls and Bridges which included his No 1 comeback single "Whatever gets you through the Night".

The players depicted include a black and white-shirted player with a large 9 on his back (the number fascinated Lennon all his life). He entitled the picture 'football' and signed it 'John Lennon, June 1952, aged 11.'

Lennon would have displayed the pictures in the house for family and visitors to see, according to Simon Osborne, National Trust Liverpool properties manager.

"The stories of his childhood come alive at Mendips, which captures the spirit of the young Lennon in his early years," he said.

Another painting is a cruel caricature of a schoolboy friend, titled 'Our Own Syky Slug', and another features Lennon's teacher, Mr Bob.

The exhibition also includes a replica of Lennon's passport, from 1960 to 1970, which charts the Beatles' history from the early years in Hamburg, Germany, to the rest of Europe, America and later trips to Japan and India.

Copies of his post-war identity card, swimming proficiency certificate and 11-plus entrance exam card to Quarry Bank Grammar School have also been made for display.

Mendips, a three bed semi in Liverpool's Menlove Avenue, has become a major part of the Beatles heritage trail and during the summer months attracts 250 visitors a day.

It is the place where Lennon composed "Please Please Me" and was rescued by Ms Ono from near oblivion after developers revealed plans to buy the house and make a honeymoon suite out of her late husband's bedroom.

- INDEPENDENT