On this very day, a pair of John Lennon’s sunglasses is going up for auction – and, of course, they are the iconic round frames long associated with The Beatles member.

Although they were owned by Lennon way back in the 70s, even today the round style has once again made a comeback (their first mass appeal came in the 1930s).

But these glasses of Lennon’s have something else to them – a letter.

According to the letter, an irate Lennon stamped on the glasses after an unhappy phone call and chucked them in the bin. His uncle then picked them up and had them repaired, thinking he could return them to Lennon.

He never did return them, though, and eventually sold them to a collector.

Now, they are tipped to sell for £3 500 (R57 000) at an auction in the UK today.

The letter, which you can see above, reads:

The glasses were stamped on by John whilst in an argument with someone on my phone in London.

The lenses shattered and I retrieved them from the bin because I felt he (John) could have them repaired.

The boy had a temper – but I thought it was a silly waste of money.

Of course, this personal anecdote from a close relative paints the often forgotten image of a volatile Lennon – generally, he is remembered for his bed-ins for peace and songs about imagining a better world.

Angus Ashworth, a specialist at York-based Ryedale Auctioneers who are selling the glasses, said:

The letter from the uncle describes John Lennon on the phone to what may have been a producer in London.

There is still massive demand for Beatles and particularly John Lennon memorabilia, especially in the United States.

The vendor has had them for several years and has collected related memorabilia for quite a while but has got to the point the time is right to move them on.

If you’re a collector, then I kind of understand the obsession – but if you’re just in it for the style (round sunnies really are cool AF) Sunglass Hut has a pretty amazing selection for you:

[source:metro]