Lennon's Cousin Donates A Slice Of History

28 November 2005

Lennon's Cousin Donates A Slice Of History

Kiwi cousin of Beatle John Lennon, 71 year-old Jack Mathews of Hamilton, with the four covers of the December issue of Reader’s Digest. Jack, one of 14 John Lennon cousins in New Zealand, presented the first collectors set to the Beatles Museum in Hastings, owned by Beatles fan Brett Nelson.

‘Please please me’ is what Reader’s Digest aims to do this week when, for the first time ever, four different covers of the same issue of a magazine are released commercially in New Zealand.

Readers of the December issue of Reader’s Digest - which this month (subs December) celebrates 55 years of publishing in New Zealand - will have the opportunity to choose their favourite Beatle from one of four special edition covers. The issue also features an exclusive extract, revealing the untold story about the Beatles’ early days from Bob Spitz’s highly acclaimed biography of the Beatles to be released in New Zealand in December.

Tom Moore, editor-in-chief at Reader’s Digest, says he is looking forward to seeing how readers respond to the special issue and finding out which Beatle wins the popularity stakes.

“With the 25th anniversary of John Lennon’s death on 8 December 1980, we are anticipating a run on the Lennon cover, but Beatles fans are known for their devotion to their chosen Beatle, so we’ll wait and see.

“This issue has certainly made my job easier as choosing a cover is often one of the toughest jobs an editor can have,” says Tom Moore.

And for those who just can't decide between the singing legends, Readers Digest is also offering a special Collectors Edition pack featuring all four magazines. These will be available online at www.readersdigest.co.nz/beatles or by calling 0800 449 284 for just $14.99 (a significant discount off the normal retail price of $5.99 per magazine) but stocks will be limited.

The special Beatles' Collectors issue of the New Zealand Reader's Digest is on sale at newsagents and supermarkets from 30 November.

ENDS