FILM footage of John Lennon, which has been hidden away from the world for more than 30 years, has been sold to a mystery fan at an auction in New York.
The previously unseen film of the former Beatle performing magic tricks for children in New York's Central Park are part of a fly-on-the-wall look at his amazing life.
The 16mm, 40-minute film, which sold at Christies this weekend, also shows Lennon dancing on a bandstand, feeding animals at the zoo, signing autographs and riding in a hansom cab.
It was taken in November 1974 by an unknown film-maker and sold to an anonymous fan for £33,200.
At the same sale, Lennon's handwritten lyrics to the 1964 Beatles song If You've Got Trouble sold for £23,605.
And a letter penned by Lennon to an unnamed art critic at the Syracuse Post - Standard in 1971 went for an identical sum.
The footage was shot when the young filmmaker asked Lennon if he would agree to be filmed. The ex-Beatle agreed - so long as he could edit the film.
A spokesman for Christie's said: "This was a true discovery and a remarkable piece of film.
"It lasts for around 40-minutes and shows a markedly relaxed Lennon enjoying himself in New York.
"He became quite creative and the result is a spontaneous and intimate portrait of a legend."
Lennon wrote the lyrics to If You've Got Trouble on the back of sheet music of Bob Dylan's Down the Highway, and planned the song to be part of the 1965 album and movie Help.
It was recorded that year but later John and Paul decided not to release the song. It finally came out in 1996 as part of the Beatles Anthology II.
Meanwhile, tomorrow Bonhams auction house in London is selling a collection of personal letters, poetry, sketchbooks and photographs belonging to "Fifth Beatle" Stuart Sutcliffe.
