Wessex Auctions Music Memorabila Report April 21st 2023
Our music memorabilia auctions at Wessex continue to attract some of the most sought after items in the world, and our April 21st auction was no exception.
Star of the day was a unique set of Beatles autographs featuring stand-in drummer Jimmie Nicol who famously stepped into the shoes of Ring Starr for eight tour dates in 1964.There are thought to be less than 20 full sets of Beatles autographs with Jimmie Nicol in the world making them a holy grail for fans of the fab four. Those that have come onto the music auction market over the years are usually quickly scrawled signatures on the page of an autograph book, or a scrap of paper – and even those can sell for thousands of pounds.
What made the set of Beatles autographs for sale at Wessex Auction Rooms even more attractive to collector’s and perhaps the most desirable set of Beatles autographs that has been seen at auction anywhere in the world for years, is that the signatures of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Jimmie Nicol, and road manager Mal Evans, were very clearly signed on one of the most iconic images of the Beatles taken by photographer Harry Benson CBE in Paris, known as ‘Pillow Fight’.
This particular copy of the photograph was personally signed for Harry Benson (minus Ringo, but with Jimmie) and then gifted by Harry to the vendor.
Wessex Auction Rooms’ Music Memorabilia Specialist Martin Hughes (pictured below with the framed Beatles autographs) said “As soon as the auction catalogue was published online we had enquiries from around the world. The Wessex Auction Music Memorabilia auctions always have a huge number of bidders, but on this occasion we had increased interest from overseas – particularly the USA & Japan.
I love selling Beatles memorabilia because you always know that you’ll have a bidding war on your hands, and as an auctioneer there is no better feeling”
When the Lot went under the hammer there was a flurry of early bids and then eventually a battle between a telephone bidder and an internet bidder with the gavel eventually being knocked down to to a UK bidder online.
The £14,000 price (including buyers premium) means that Wessex Auction Rooms set a new World Record for a set of Beatles autographs with Jimmie Nicol.
Other highlights included a signature from the late Keith Moon, drummer from The Who, and a fantastic collection of promotional postcards from the world famous Fillmore music venue in San Francisco – both selling for a premium inclusive £460 under the hammer.
Wessex Auction Rooms hold six memorabilia auctions per year and are currently consigning items for our forthcoming auctions late in 2023.If you have items you wish to sell including posters, flyers, tickets, autographs, t-shirts, programmes or any other music collectables, give us a call on 01249 720888 or email enquiries@wessexauctionrooms.co.uk