John Lennon's famous sunglasses are sold at auction for over £130,000

18 December 2019, 13:45 | Updated: 22 September 2023, 13:14

The legendary Beatle accidentally left a pair of Oliver Goldsmith glasses in the back of Ringo Starr's car.

A pair of sunglasses once worn by John Lennon have been sold at an auction for £137,500.

The late singer accidentally left behind a pair of Oliver Goldsmith glasses in the back of his bandmate Ringo Starr‘s car in the summer of 1968.

The glasses were sold at a Sotheby’s auction in London.

In a letter, chauffeur Alan Herring said: “I had picked John up with Ringo and George [Harrison] in Ringo’s Mercedes and driven the boys into the office.

“When John got out of his car I noticed that he’d left these sunglasses on the back seat and one lens and one arm had become disconnected.

“I asked John if he’d like me to get them fixed for him. He told me not to worry they were just for the look. He said he’d send out for some that fit.

“I never did get them mended – I just kept them as they were as John had left them.”

Herring had been employed by George Harrison as a landscape contractor at his home in Surrey, and was later taken on by Ringo.

He added: “Whilst employed for George and Ringo, I attended most of the Beatles’ recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios for the White Album, Abbey Road and Let It Be – it was a very exciting time to be around.”