Lennon drawings safe for collectors

John Lennon’s graphic drawings of himself having sex may have escaped conviction for obscenity because of fears art collections throughout the country could have fallen foul of the law if the case succeeded, according to official files.

The decision to charge gallery owner Eugene Schuster for displaying eight lithographs by the former Beatle depicting himself and his wife Yoko Ono in various sexual poses led to one of the most sensational court cases of 1970.

As far as the Scotland Yard’s obscene publications squad was concerned the explicit drawings, which went on sale at the London Arts Gallery in New Bond Street at £40 (€60.10) each or £550 (€826.40) for the set, were evidence of a “sick mind”.