The Montreal 'Bed-In for Peace' was held two months after John and Yoko's honeymoon Bed-In at the Amsterdam Hilton, and lasted for seven days between 26 May and 2 June, 1969. Throughout the week the couple sat up in bed in their nightclothes and opened their doors to the worlds' media, speaking to as many radio and TV journalists, politicians and counter-culture figures as would listen, with Lennon's objective being to sell the idea of Peace to the world. Most notably the Lennon's, along with the enthusiastic congregation of journalists friends and supporters would record the anthem 'Give Peace a Chance' during their stay.
Throughout the week Lennon created a large number of artworks, advocating many maxims and slogans to help promote the message of Peace. Influenced by the happening's straightforward title 'Bed-In for Peace', this hand drawn placard is one of, if not the most representative of the event.
Adorning the walls and windows throughout the suite, many were given away or moved around, whereas this specific placard stayed prominently above the couple's bed for the duration - from when doors were first opened to the world's press, to after the event had finished when it can still be seen attached to the window in photographs showing the room being cleaned. The placard was acquired by a freelance sound man, who was present in the room as things came to an end. He subsequently passed it on to a colleague, whose family have retained it ever since.
This is the first time that this unique historic placard has ever been offered at auction.