Newsweek Magazine January 12 1981 John Lennon Memorial Issue Appraisal

Newsweek Magazine - January 12, 1981 - John Lennon Memorial Issue

This is a vintage edition of Newsweek magazine dated January 12, 1981, featuring a poignant cover story titled 'John Lennon: The Battle Over His Memory' following the musician's tragic death. The cover displays a high-contrast, emotive close-up photograph of Lennon, framed within the iconic red Newsweek masthead and a blue 'Special Report' banner regarding 'The Future of Television.' The item is currently housed inside a transparent plastic sheet protector within a blue binder, which has helped preserve its flat state. The magazine appears to be standard newsprint size, approximately 8x10.5 inches. Physical observation reveals minor shelf wear and light age-toning typical of 1980s newsprint, particularly visible along the white margins. A UPC barcode is present in the lower-left corner, indicating this was likely a newsstand copy rather than a subscription copy (which would often contain a mailing label). There is no visible evidence of significant tearing, water damage, or heavy creasing on the front cover. The coloring remains vibrant, with the red masthead showing little fading. This issue serves as a significant piece of pop culture history and Beatles memorabilia, marking the period of public mourning and the beginning of the legal and social legacy battles surrounding the estate of the former Beatle.