LC Photo and Handwritten Store Endorsement for sale

[bridger15]

Photo: Barry Wentzell circa 1968

I read an article about the January 1, 2012 closing of a record store in Sebastopol, CA which is owned by Jonathon Lipsin.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20 ... ?p=1&tc=pg

When the owner mentioned in the article that a favourite memorabilia in the store is a Leonard Cohen photo, that really piqued my interest.

One of Lipsin's favorites is a black-and-white photo of Leonard Cohen, with the Canadian singer-songwriter's handwritten endorsement of the Toronto store: “This is the greatest store in the country.

I wanted to ask permission to post the LC photo, so I called "Incredible Records". Jonathon Lipson, the owner answered the phone himself and was an absolute delight. He spoke to me at length then had to ring off as customers wanted his attention.

Before moving to California, his current location, Mr Lipsin first opened "Incredible Records" in Toronto. The following account took place in his original Toronto store in 1993.

Leonard Cohen came in one day and spent 5 hours in the store and spent about a $1000 .He left and came back 10 minutes later and asked for a pen and paper and wrote this.We are all from Montreal and have known each other,his family and mine.He used to hang out with my grandfather who was a yiddish poet. Jonathon Lipsin (Facebook)

Mr Lipsin added that Leonard Cohen was so pleased with his visit to the Toronto store because he was able to find and replace all the records that were stolen, left behind or were recommended.

The photo and handwritten store endorsement shown above are for sale.

Contact info: jonathonlipsin@att.net or (717) 824-8099

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Another LC photo dated 1973 is available on the photographers website
http://www.barriewentzell.com/gallery/m ... temId=1849

---Arlene

[MaryB]

WOW Arlene,

You manage to dig up and pursue the most interesting LC related items. When I first read this and saw that he is selling the photo and autograph, I thought to myself 'why would he do that'? Then I thought, timing is everything. Over the course of a lifetime I have accumulated a lot of 'stuff'. As I get older, I try to let go and give away a lot of stuff. If family or friends don't want items, I give them to charity (how many sets of dishes, etc.... does one need ) I used to collect Clark Gable memorabilia. The time to sell these CG items to let others enjoy them has truly passed.

Given LC's 'resurgence' and popularity with new fans, he is making a wise choice to sell now. Heck, I even thought I might contact him to see how much he was asking. I had to remind myself that I am trying to 'downsize', not accumulate more, even though it is an LC item - I kept my hands off the phone.

Warmest regards,
Mary