Celebrity auctions intrigue me. Not so much because of the items that are up for sale (though it is interesting to see what celebs consider “safe” to part with), but what I find so astounding is how much some die-hard fans are willing to fork over for an item previously owned by someone they likely have never met.
In a previous blog I previewed an auction Christie’s was running featuring rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia from some of the hottest bands of the 1960s and ’70s. Most of the items were non descript and unpretentious, such as used T-shirts, sweaters and albums. Apparently, rock ‘n’ roll fans must either have a ton of money to burn or they are some of the most loyal fans in the world because the auction surpassed all expectations and raked in more than $1 million.
Some of the history making sales included a Jimi Hendrix album that sold for $20,000 and a Rolling Stones’ T-shirt that netted more than $4,000. In addition, a copy of Hendrix’s “Axis: Bold as Love” album from 1968 – inscribed “Thanks for everything” and accompanied by three color photos of the rock star – sold for double its pre-sale estimate of $10,000. And the sales that made my jaw drop–three cardboard posters for Hendrix concerts in 1968 and 1969, which fetched $10,625, $16,250 and $18,750 respectively.
Can you imagine dropping nearly 20 grand on a cardboard poster?
But the madness didn’t stop there—-a limited edition, long-sleeved sweater designed to promote the Stones’ 1973 “Goat’s Head Soup” album sold for $4,750. And remember the T-shirts I mentioned in my previous blog? The Yardbirds shirt worn by rock journalist Greg Shaw to the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival brought in $3,000 while a maroon Led Zeppelin 1973 shirt fetched $1,625. Meanwhile, the short-sleeved white shirt with green sleeves with the words “War is over! If you want it” from the John Lennon song “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” sold for $1,875.
So who has the resources to spend that kind of dough on pieces of cotton?
According to the auction house, all the T-shirts were bought by U.S. private collectors except for the John Lennon one, which was acquired by an institution it wouldn’t name.
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