Tag Archives: memorabilia

Fab Four To Appear In Croydon: Rare Beatles Memorabilia Included In Auction

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beatlesmemorabliaThe Beatles have been fascinating us for over five decades, but it was in 1964, exactly 50 years ago, that they took the world by storm. They appeared on US TV and performed in front of a 73 million audience. Beatles merchandise started to become big business.

Catherine Southon is pleased to announce that she will have not just one, but three rare Beatles memorabilia included in her next sale at The Chateau in the Shirley Hills, near Croydon, on Wednesday, 26th March 2014 at 11.30 am.

By far the most sought after is the 1964 NEMS record player, which is one of the earliest Beatles merchandise – only 5,000 were ever made and they rarely come up for sale. This one is not in mint condition, but will still make a fan’s heart beat faster. The iconic record player has got a print of the Fab Four playing their instruments and facsimile autographs. It is estimated to fetch between £1,000-2,000.

Also from around 1964, is the boxed set of car mascot Bobb’n Head Beatles dolls, which is expected to sell for £300-400. The set is in its original, slightly damaged box and each Beatle plays his instrument. The dolls are about 8” tall and are very popular with collectors.

For fashion conscious ladies, who want to fully embrace Beatlemania, the third Beatles’ lot will be of particular interest. A 1964 Dutch Polka Dot mini dress in beige and white with the faces of John, Paul, George & Ringo printed in black vertically next to a guitar with their facsimile signatures. It’s in excellent condition and a size 10/12 and comes with an estimate of £150-250.

Catherine Southon, well-known through various BBC Antiques programmes, says: “I was really excited to be shown the Beatles memorabilia at a recent valuation day. Although they did not belong to anyone famous, the fact that they have survived for this long in such good condition is quite remarkable. The Beatles are still seen as the greatest and most influential rock band and I know that their fans are always keen to add rare merchandise to their collections.”

Other lots with famous signatures included in the auction is a handbag signed by Neil Armstrong in the mid 1980s. He signed the beaded bag for its owner at a charity event shortly before he stopped giving autographs (estimate £1,000-2,000).

A catalogue will be available from the end of February and the sale can be viewed on 25th & 26th March at The Chateau, Coombe Lane, Shirley, Surrey CR0 5RE.

For more details, please visit www.catherinesouthon.co.uk or call 07808 737 694.

 

Sports Memorabilia Company Teams Up With FA And England Squad.

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SPORTS MEMORABILIA COMPANY FORMS UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FA AND ENGLAND SQUAD

Sportsrabilia has collaborated with the England football team to produce a unique and exclusive collection of memorabilia to offer fans the chance to buy a piece of football history.

Under the new deal between Sportsrabillia and The FA, limited edition pieces signed by stars such as Steven Gerrard, Ashley Young and John Terry will be available prior to Christmas 2011. There will be further collections released in the build up to and during the 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine and the forthcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The product range will feature high-impact imagery, player biographies, landmark achievements, actual sections of match balls and full squad pieces and will carry the signatures and authentication of the England team.

The England Collection will be available to buy from www.sportsrabilia.com and will be competitively priced starting at £150. A selection of individual items will also be made available for auction at charity events around the UK, helping raise money for worthwhile causes.

The exclusive range will be authenticated and protected to levels previously unseen in the UK. Each piece will include a hologram, FA stamp and a certificate of authenticity signed by a member of The FA and a representative of Sportsrabilia present at the signing session. These lengths have been taken to both protect the players and The FA but most importantly the Sportsrabilia customers.

Commenting on the partnership, FA spokesperson Nicky Stanton said: “The Sportsrabilia range will give England fans a chance to buy a piece of football history and feel closer to the England team. They can also be assured that they are purchasing a fully licensed and authenticated product.’’

Danny Schindler, Chief Executive Officer of Sportsrabilia added: “We are delighted and proud to be working with the FA and the England squad. This partnership will create a unique range of items that will be ideal for collectors and make the perfect gift for football fans across the country in the run-up to Christmas.”

RIGHT ROYAL REBUFF AS 83% OF BRITS SHUN ROYAL WEDDING MEMORABILIA

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· 83% of Brits will not be buying Royal Wedding souvenirs to commemorate Prince William and Kate Middleton’s marriage[1]

· Almost a quarter (22%) say that Royal Wedding souvenirs are a waste of money; one in six (16%) view them as ‘beyond tacky’[2]

· One in five Brits (22%) believe commemorative items are good for British business – but just one in ten (12%) say they are a nice memento while only 8% think they are collector’s items[2]

· Over six in ten (62%) claim to have never owned royal souvenirs while just 2% of Brits have theirs proudly out on display[3]

· Of those who will be shelling out, top purchases are: chinaware (49%), commemorative coins (38%) and tea towels (20%)[4]

· Royal wedding souvenir hunters will be spending £23 on average[5]

Eight in ten Brits (83%) won’t be buying Royal Wedding souvenirs[1] according to new research out today from InvisibleHand, the free online shopping tool. Despite expectations that Will and Kate’s wedding would spark a souvenir shopping frenzy, the majority of Brits will be shunning souvenirs with almost a quarter (22%) branding them a waste of money[2].

While previous generations may have enjoyed owning a piece of royal memorabilia and passing it down through the family, modern Brits have very different views. Over one in ten (13%) say that royal souvenirs are a complete rip off while 16% think they are ‘beyond tacky’. Just one in ten (12%) think they make a nice memento of the day, while only 8% say that souvenirs are collector’s items. Incredibly, only 1% think of royal souvenirs as a family heirloom[2].

Over six in ten people (62%) claim to have never owned royal souvenirs – 7% claim to have got rid of the souvenirs they did own. And while one in ten people (13%) hide their royal souvenirs away in the loft, just 2% have them proudly out on display[3].

Despite this lack of appetite, almost a quarter of Brits (21%) agree that Royal Wedding souvenirs are good for British business[3]. And maybe they are right as those people who will be buying commemorative items will be spending £23 on average[5]. The top items on royal souvenir hunters’ shopping lists are: chinaware such as plates and mugs (49%), commemorative coins (38%) and tea towels (20%). More niche items, such as Will and Kate face masks, which have provided a lot of laughs on social media, will only be snapped up by 2%[4].

Most popular Royal Wedding memorabilia[4]

Percentage who have/will buy[4]

1. Chinaware

49%

2. Commemorative coins

38%

3. Tea towels

20%

4. Flags / bunting

14%

5. Books / annuals

12%

6. Teddies / cuddly toys

6%

7. T-shirts

4%

8. Clocks

3%

9. William and Kate masks

2%

Source: InvisibleHand

Robin Landy, founder of InvisibleHand, says: “Despite the fact that eight in ten Brits say they won’t be snapping up royal wedding souvenirs, I suspect that in reality many more will get caught up in the occasion and will end up buying something. We all like to think we’re too cool for school, but look in people’s lofts and attics and you may find more royal memorabilia lurking than most of us would like to admit.

“Whether you are a Royal Family fanatic or someone who plans to view the event from the sidelines, if you are going to buy memorabilia it’s essential to get value for money. Shopping around online will enable you to get the best deal for your hard earned cash plus make it easier to hunt down the more quirky items that will raise a smile.”

InvisibleHand is free to download in less than a minute via the website, www.getinvisiblehand.com.

Guinness World Records Announce Largest Santa Claus Collection.

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Retired Canadian teacher enters the Guinness World Records™ 2011 edition with world’s ‘Largest Collection of Santa Claus Memorabilia’

Jean-Guy’s 25,000-piece collection fills his entire house!

74-year-old Jean-Guy Laquerre from Boucherville, Quebec, today celebrates being officially recognised as the biggest collector of Santa Claus-themed memorabilia in the world, having accumulated an incredible 25,189 items from 33 countries over the past 22 years. His record-breaking collection, which is still growing in size, has earned him a place in the Guinness World Records 2011 edition and will also feature as part of the new Guinness World Records iPad app Guinness World Records: At Your Fingertips, which launches today on the iTunes store.

Jean-Guy began his collection in 1988 after being left a Santa Claus statuette from the early 1900s by a deceased relative. This touching gesture inspired him to start hunting for everything Santa-related, from postcards and brooches to toys and posters. And just like Santa, in his bid to keep expanding his collection, Jean-Guy has his own band of helpers – friends rather than elves! – that send him gifts from antique shops and garage sales, to help boost his assortment of Father Christmas merchandise.

Now the enthusiast has been rewarded with a certificate, a place in the 2011 edition book and will also feature in the new Guinness World Records app which launches today. Commenting on his record-breaking collection, Jean-Guy said: “To be included in the Guinness World Records book is a big honour. It’s the best of the best, the top of the top – like being an Olympic gold medal winner! Being part of the iPad app gives me even more joy as it will help spread the happiness my collection brings to people.”

Guinness World Records Editor-in-chief Craig Glenday says: “Jean-Guy personifies the magic of Christmas ­ his collection is a joy to behold and brings a smile to the face of even the most hardened of cynics. He’s the kind of grandfather that every child would want!”

An ideal Christmas gift for both knowledge-seekers and aspiring record-breakers of all ages, Guinness World Records 2011 edition is available now from all good book retailers (RRP £20).

The Guinness World Records app Guinness World Records: At Your Fingertips launches today, delivering more than 150 photographs, 140 records, 20 stunning video clips, and three exclusive games that enable iPad users – for the first time ever – to be able to attempt and set real Guinness World Records straight from their iPad.

Guinness World Records: At Your Fingertips is available now at the iTunes Store for £2.99. For more information visit http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/ipad.aspx