Author's book is joyful remembrance of John Lennon and his legacy

Some of the items are out of the ordinary -- the "Milk and Honey" wooden box (page 242) and a baseball from the Beatles Candlestick Park show signed by Lennon (page 120) are two. 

 

But in addition, there's a wealth of vintage Beatle items and items from Lennon's solo career you might remember if you're old enough. Remember the Beatle bubble bath (page 49), the Flip Your Wig game (page 77) and the Yellow Submarine lunch box (page 133)?

 

Taken together, the book is a lot of fun to look at and spins a very uplifting look at the former Beatle's life. And as the book comes from Krause Publications, publishers of Goldmine magazine, it also has an added appeal to collectors -- or those who can only wish they owned some of this stuff.

 

We asked author Borack if there were any interesting stories with the gathering of the items for the book. "I wish I could take credit for the yeoman's job of gathering most all of the photos of the Beatles and of the rare memorabilia - and I wish I owned more of it, too," he told us by email, "but the kudos have to go to my editor, Mark Moran. Mark was able to not only procure a wide variety of rare, previously unreleased and/or interesting images, but he also was able to match most of the images to my text."

 

Some of it did belong to Borack, though. "I've owned the promotional badge for the "Walls and Bridges" LP ("Listen to this Button.") since 1974, and was thrilled to have it included in the book and on the cover. It's currently hanging from my rearview mirror in my car!," he says.

 

Does he have a favorite item in the book?

 

"I'd have to say it's the vintage 1966 Beatles pinball machine (page 207). As an avid pinball aficionado from way back, I'd kill to have this baby as part of my collection," he says. "I know there's a plastic, tabletop "Yellow Submarine" pinball machine currently on the market ($40), but it's not even close to the same thing..."

 

Personally, we like seeing a time-travelled Jimmy Olsen as a Beatle (page 75).

 

"Great Krypton! Jimmy Olsen has started a Beatle craze here in the ancient past. He has become as popular as Ringo!," Superman says in the panel on the cover.

 

Great Krypton, indeed!