Musical Instruments & Memorabilia

As an auction house, what sale format do you squeeze an amphibious vehicle or a 12m long sofa into? When it comes to the ‘weird and wonderful’, auctioneers often face a challenge.

The Beatles’ original management contract with Brian Epstein has been sold at Sotheby’s for £220,000 (plus premium).

Original master recordings from Abbey Road Studios of artists including Blondie, Ed Sheeran, Alanis Morissette and The Killers will be offered at auction in June.

Tracks recorded by David Bowie for his 1967 debut album that were later rejected have been sold at auction for a hammer price of £16,000.

To celebrate 40 years since the release of Madness’ ‘One Step Beyond’ - the 1979 debut album by the British ska-pop group - the V&A has unveiled a collection of memorabilia.

John Lennon’s personal and signed ‘Butcher’ cover Yesterday and Today album prototype from 1966 sold for a record-breaking £180,000 ($234,400), including premium, in an auction held in Liverpool.

The upcoming Decorative Arts sale to be held by Tajan in Paris includes a number of pieces by one of the master craftsmen of the Art Nouveau movement – Louis Majorelle.

A Modernist grand piano from 1931 by the Danish designer Poul Henningsen was the toast of a dedicated Scandinavian design sale held by Artcurial in Paris.

A rediscovered melody by Sir Edward Elgar has been bought by a private buyer at auction in Lichfield after it was found in an autograph book.

The English Literature school book of The Beatles’ Sir Paul McCartney has been bought at auction for £39,000.

In 1977, three years before his untimely death, Joy Division’s singer songwriter Ian Curtis wrote the lyrics to ‘Failures’: “Wise words and sympathy/Tell the story of our history.”

A rediscovered melody by Sir Edward Elgar will be offered at auction in Lichfield after it was found in an autograph book.

A tape thought to contain “possibly the first ever demo version” of David Bowie’s 1972 hit ‘Starman’ drew strong competition at Omega Auctions’ latest sale.