The record – an edition of the former Beatles singer's 'Double Fantasy' album, signed in December 1980 shortly  before he was assassinated  - was one of number of items of pop memorabilia which fetched almost £500,000 at auction in London.

Other items which went under the hammer included a guitar played by Pete Townshend from The Who on their American 'Quadrophenia' tour, which raised £31,250, a hat block used to make Michael Jackson’s trademark fedoras, which sold for £8,125 and a bass drum wrecked by Kurt Cobain at the end of a show by Nirvana at the end of a 1991 concert, which fetched £8,125.

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Other lots included white platform shoes worn by Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell in the 1997 movie Spiceworld which went for £500, while a pair of Jimi Hendrix's leather boots fetched considerably more - £9,375.

Late T Rex singer Marc Bolan’s mint-green jacket sold for £9,375, while a painted face-mask of Marilyn Manson fetched £700. A gift-card signed by another ex-Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney, fetched £1,250.

Later this week, another auction of memorabilia will take place in Los Angeles, which offers even more lots, including Michael Jackson's iconic red leather jacket worn in the iconic 1983 music video for his song 'Thriller', which is expected to fetch between $200,000 and $400,000 at auction.

Auctioneers Julien's – who are holding the sale - said: "We know of no other jacket that is so easily recognisable or one that so altered fashion history. It is the most recognised and significant piece of pop culture."