In September 1967, the Beatles had very recently had their first audience with the Maharishi in Bangor, Wales the previous month. Lennon and Harrison in particular became deeply interested in the benefits of Transcendental Meditation and at this stage were certainly advocates of the Maharishi's Spiritual Regeneration Movement, the 'S.R.M. Foundation' mentioned in his letter. It would be early the following year, in February 1968, that the entire band and their entourage would travel to Rishikesh, India to attend a retreat at the Maharishi's Ashram. Lennon would become disillusioned with the Maharishi during this trip, in between yearning for Yoko Ono with whom he had recently embarked on an extra-marital relationship and then being upset with the news that the Maharishi had apparently made a pass at female attendees, Lennon departed early with the rest of the band. This episode was immortalized in his writing of the song 'Sexy Sadie', released on the Beatles' White Album, 1968. Originally titled 'Maharishi', the song's lyrics asked Sexy Sadie, what have you done? You made a fool of everyone...

Christie's would like to thank noted Beatles autograph and handwriting expert Frank Caiazzo for his assistance in authenticating this lot.