The November 30 sale of rock and pop memorabilia at Christie’s totaled $864,938 and was sold 95 percent by value and 87 percent by lot. The top lot was Hank Williams’ notebook of 13 lyrics, which posted a world auction record for a Hank Williams manuscript at $145,000.
Regarded as the “Hillbilly Shakespeare,” Williams was one of the most prolific and influential singers and songwriters of the Twentieth Century †his songbook is the staple of country music. Ever the well-versed musician, he pioneered honky-tonk, blues, pop, gospel and rock. The 18-page composition notebook is creased down the middle, most likely because Williams carried it in his back pocket for handy use to jot down songs when the mood struck him.
Simeon Lipman, Christie’s head of entertainment memorabilia in New York, said, “We are delighted with the results of this sale, which showed the continued strength of the memorabilia market and set a world auction record for a Hank Williams manuscript. The collection of vintage rock T-shirts saw enthusiastic bidding from private collectors and an American institution, and the top lot of that selection was a rare Rolling Stones Goat’s Head Soup sweater †one of a dozen made †which realized $4,750.”
In additional sale highlights, a baseball signed by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr of The Beatles brought $49,000, while an acoustic guitar signed by Elvis Presley realized $25,000. Jimi Hendrix signed his Jimi Hendrix ExperienceAxis: Bold As Lovealbum cover, 1968, and it fetched $20,000.
From Cream, a collection of approximately 200 unpublished color transparencies and black and white negatives of the group performing in 1968 made $20,000. Paul McCartney’s page of handwritten notes, probably for recording purposes, 1968, sold for $20,000.
Rounding out the sale’s top ten lots were Jimi Hendrix Experience, poster for The 1968 Pop Festival, $18,750; Jimi Hendrix, poster for Pinnacle Concerts Shrine Auditorium, February 10, 1968, artwork by John Van Hamersveld, $16,250; The Beatles, concert poster for Weston-Super-Mare, 1963, $15,000; and Guns N’ Roses, electric guitar autographed by eight current and former members, $12,500.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For information, 212-636-2000 or www.Christies.com.
