Liverpool marks John Lennon's 65th birthday year with exhibition

Jul 18, 2005, 14:58 GMT

London - A new exhibition featuring replicas of John Lennon's childhood belongings and one of his milk teeth was unveiled at the former Beatles' old home in Liverpool on Monday to mark his 65th birthday year and the 25th anniversary of his assassination.

The items for the show, which features copies of Lennon's Sunday School attendance sheet, his passport, post-war identity-card and swimming proficiency certificate, were chosen by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono.

Lennon, co-founder of the Beatles, would have been 65 years old next October 9. His wife Ono was with him when he was shot by an assassin outside his home in New York City on December 8, 1980.

The memorabilia will go on display in the semi-detached house where he Lennon was raised by his Aunt Mimi, from Wednesday.

The collection includes replica paintings which Lennon made as a boy, such as pictures of footballers and native American Indians.

Lennon later used the images on his 1974 album, Walls And Bridges.

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

Beatles expert Shelagh Johnston, who acts as an adviser to Ono, said about the reproductions from family archives: "Yoko chose the items very carefully, as she wanted to do something special to mark the year of John's 65th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of his death.