THE last item ever autographed by John Lennon – signed on the morning of his murder – is to go under the hammer at a giant rock and pop memorabilia auction next month.

It’s a large-format promotional poster for John and Yoko’s Double Fantasy album signed on the morning of December 8, 1980, just hours before he was shot dead in New York.

An accompanying audio recording captures the former Beatle discussing the signing, and retracing his signature in black felt-tip after the ballpoint pen he first used failed.

The poster is being offered with a pre-sale estimate of £60,000 to £120,000, and is expected to attract huge interest worldwide at Propstore’s Music Live sale on April 30.

Lennon, then 40 years old, was gunned down by Mark Chapman outside the Dakota apartment building after the crazed fan had earlier asked for an autograph that same morning.

Despite the efforts of medics the rock legend was pronounced dead on arrival at Roosevelt Hospital.

Chapman, a 25-year-old former security guard, was said to have been enraged by Lennon’s lifestyle, and was inspired by Holden Caulfield from J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher In The Rye. He was later sentenced to 20 years to life for second-degree murder.

Other highlights of the auction include one of Slash’s guitars, played on the Guns N’Roses reunion tour, George Michael’s Faith jacket, Ed Sheeran’s Shape Of You outfit and hand-written Jimi Hendrix lyrics.

For more information of the 400+ lots up for sale, head to the auction webpage, and to see the catalogue, click here.