To Mimi, from John

This remarkable piece of John Lennon memorabilia belongs to Mike Lines of Mister M's Barber Shop in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.

Not content with owning a barber chair from Horne Brothers in Liverpool where Dezo Hoffman photographed the boys having their hair cut as Ringo said farewell to his Tony Curtis quiff forever, Mike also has this book, The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol V, which John gave to Mimi in 1969.

"It came out of Aunt Mimi's home at Sandbanks," says Mike. "Apparently she wanted the books out of the bungalow - I was told she didnlt like the idea of John getting into the subject matter.
"She either gave or sold them to a local gardener who later sold them to a collector he became friends with. The collector is now deceased, but his widow sold some of his collection. I gather that one of the books went Stateside and another was bought by a musician who had a number one hit in the 1970s. I have been asked not to say who it is, so I have to respect that."
Intriguing, but you can't help but be impressed that Mike has kept the book so carefully that he has even preserved the dust and fluff in the well of the signed page.
"There are bits that will fall out of the book if I were to turn it upside down and whilst they're most likely to be insect excrement as opposed to John's hash or toast crumbs, I would like to leave them in."
Mike, we salute you sir!
- Visit the marvellous Mister M's Barber Shop at www.bournemouthbarbers.co.uk
- Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Beatles & Bournemouth can be ordered here.
- An exhibition of photos from the book and other Bournemouth-related Beatles memorabilia continues at the Bournemouth International Centre until 5 September.