Kite customer lived at Lennon's home and saw the original poster
I can’t imagine that there are many people who own one of our Mr. Kite prints who have seen Lennon’s original copy – perhaps only Paul McCartney himself. However, that exceedingly small list has just grown by one. Last week we sent a print to an American customer with a fascinating link to The Beatles…
In 1969 our customer – Rick – found himself in London on the way to India for a soul-searching expedition. Short of money and looking for answers, he ran into some of the Hare Krishnas in Piccadilly Circus. He felt they might be what he was looking for. I'll let Rick tell the rest:
At the time they didn't have a London temple. George [Harrison] had helped them buy a property on Bury Place, just off of New Oxford St. We were living at [John Lennon’s home] Tittenhurst Park, working around the property in exchange for our stay. It was idyllic for me, not just because I was a Beatles fan but also because it was such a beautiful estate, even in its run down condition.
I saw the [Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite] poster one day when I was asked to do some work inside the manor.
Fast-forward to 2016 and Rick received his Mr. Kite poster from us. He was kind enough to write this:
I just received the Mr. Kite poster. It's beautiful, more beautiful than the photos can show. What you, Andy and Graham have accomplished is truly wonderful. Having a faithful copy of the poster I saw at Tittenhurst Park in 1969 fulfills many a dream I've had over the years. I have a friend who is a very good framer and am taking it straight over to him. I can't wait to display it.
Incidentally, not only did Rick live at Lennon’s home, he also spent time at George Harrison’s (even more resplendent) home, Friar Park and also sang on the George Harrison-produced album The Radha Krsna Temple.
Rick eventually grew apart from the Krishnas. These days he is a craftsman, specialising in building beautiful and unique stringed instruments, so his appreciation of the craftsmanship that went into our reproduction means all the more to us. Thank you Rick.
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