Entertainment Memorabilia

From autographs to stage costumes, musical instruments to locks of hair, posters to film props, entertainment memorabilia encompasses anything that has an association with celebrities in the world of film, popular music and show business.

Certain celebrities or brands can be bankers like The Beatles, Elvis or Bond Films. Broadly speaking, the closer the direct association an item has with the person to whom it relates, the higher the value will be.

Provenance is key in this sector as an important guide to authenticity.


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Music, movie, magic – a selection of entertainment poster highlights

10 November 2025

An extensive selection of Beatles memorabilia sold by Propstore (26% buyer’s premium) on October 23 included a 1963 poster promoting their first tour outside the UK.

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Feel the force with a scarce Star wars poster version

10 November 2025

Comic Book Auctions' current timed online sale ending on November 23 includes the first Star Wars poster from 1977.

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Striking Suffragette image emerges at Bonhams

10 November 2025

The artist Margaret Bartels (1887-1932), who trained at the Camberwell School of Art, came from a family of suffrage campaigners living in south London.

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Stacks of atmosphere created by a travel poster promoting Edinburgh

10 November 2025

Poster specialist Antikbar of Chelsea will stage an auction on November 15 which includes this original 1920s travel poster issued by the London and North Eastern Railway promoting the Edinburgh to Kings Cross route and an ‘Illustrated booklet free from LNER Offices and Agencies’.

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Posters: Not so familiar artist names – but still bringing in the big bids

10 November 2025

Designs by lesser-known poster artists can nonetheless be highly sought after by collectors, as recent auction results demonstrate.

Cold painted bronze owl

Eccentric Trading: Pieces that found fame as screen props

15 September 2025

On September 24-25, Lyon & Turnbull presents The Secret Life of Props: The Eccentric Trading Collection, a two-day single-owner auction of items that have shaped British film and television for a generation.

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Second time lucky in Surrey as Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac lyrics get away at £19,000

08 September 2025

Peter Green’s lyrics for 'Man Of The World' sell at regional auction house

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Screamadelica album sun cover art taken higher than estimate

08 September 2025

As an entire work, this huge oil on canvas by British artist Paul Cannell (1963-2005) might not seem that familiar.

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Minnie and Mickey Mouse car mascots stand out again

08 September 2025

A pair of Minnie and Mickey Mouse car mascots now displayed on a wooden stand once had a much grander location, as a photo included with a lot in The Summer Transport Sale at Tennants (24% buyer’s premium) reveals.

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Personal messages play huge part in John Peel record collection prices

01 September 2025

Rare vinyl such as demos and limited editions can generate significant demand at auction, but sometimes it is the personal touch that matters as well.

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Jukebox became a space-age design classic

01 September 2025

The AMI Continental II jukebox appeared in 1962, a time when space race excitement was gripping the US.

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Live Aid programme signed by Sting, Phil Collins and Queen members marked ‘the greatest show on Earth’

25 August 2025

This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most extraordinary music concerts ever held: Live Aid.

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Tommy Cooper magic robe bought by illusionist David Copperfield

11 August 2025

A robe worn by magician and comedian Tommy Cooper (1921-84) during the performance in which he which he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on stage has been sold at a North Yorkshire auction.

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Thunderbird 2 takes off in Teesside

11 August 2025

As with many popular film and TV brands such as James Bond and The Avengers, manufacturers were eager to cash in on Thunderbirds with an array of merchandise.

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Concert programme signed by Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor, Sting and Phil Collins at Live Aid sells for £4500

07 August 2025

This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most extraordinary music concerts ever held: Live Aid.

Harry Potter books

Signed first edition run of seven Harry Potter books takes six-figure sum at US auction

29 July 2025

A group of seven first edition hardback copies of the Harry Potter books, all signed by author JK Rowling, were hammered down at $130,000/£97,500 (or $162,500 including premium) by Heritage Auctions.

2705AR Tennants Tommy Cooper Robe

Magic robe worn by Tommy Cooper during his last performance now bought at auction by David Copperfield

25 July 2025

A robe worn by magician and comedian Tommy Cooper (1921-84) during the performance in which he which he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on stage has been sold at a North Yorkshire auction.

Rosebud sledge

Citizen Kane Rosebud sledge makes record sum at auction

18 July 2025

The sledge becomes the second most-valuable piece of movie memorabilia ever sold

Harry Potter books

Complete signed first edition run of seven Harry Potter books comes to auction

08 July 2025

A group of seven first edition hardback copies of the Harry Potter books, all signed by author JK Rowling, are being offered by Heritage Auctions.

Downton Abbey

Bonhams hosts ‘farewell’ Downton Abbey props auction and exhibition

08 July 2025

The third (and final) Downton Abbey film is set to be released in September and a goodbye auction of the hit TV series and film franchise’s props is being hosted by Bonhams.

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