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.

All Tomorrows Parties Sleeve 2690AR 15 04 2025

Velvet Underground: Rare picture sleeve provides 'Holy Grail moment' for collectors

15 April 2025

“A Holy Grail moment for collectors worldwide” was the promise from Merseyside auction house Omega (29/35% buyer’s premium inc VAT) when a scarce picture sleeve came for sale.

Led Zeppelin IV album becomes a five figure hit thanks to signatures of all four band members

25 March 2025

For many fans, the untitled fourth album known simply as 'Led Zeppelin IV' is the band at their very peak. Released in 1971, it includes classic tracks such as 'Stairway to Heaven', 'When the Levee Breaks' and 'Black Dog'.

Very special Corgi James Bond submersible car surfaces

24 March 2025

When it comes to collectables, the 007 films are on a level of their own. So much so in fact, that a Surrey auction house stages a dedicated sale.

Top billing: Major movie poster collection heads to Heritage Auctions

21 March 2025

Poster collector Dwight Cleveland’s rare collection spans more than 100 years of film – the best of them will be offered at Heritage Auctions

Sotheby’s to auction screen-used E.T. model

21 March 2025

Three E.T. models were used in the 1982 science fiction classic – one of them will appear at Sotheby’s in New York with a $600,000-900,000 estimate

Just like that, Tommy Cooper’s ‘last fez’ sells at auction

19 March 2025

Tommy Cooper’s (1921-1984) ‘last fez’ appeared at Hansons in Woburn, Bedfordshire, doubling its estimate to fetch £7000 (plus 26.5% buyer’s premium).

Violet’s autograph album featured great figures of the 19th century

10 March 2025

The greatest actor of Victorian times and the creator of Dracula were among the notable figures featured in an autograph album sold at Surrey auction house John Nicholson’s (25% buyer’s premium).

A first for Harrington: Performing arts theme given its own staging

03 March 2025

Scripts, photographs, posters and printed sheet music reflect what has become a popular collecting market

Robert-Houdin mystery clock greeted by real bidder interest

24 February 2025

Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin (1805-71) began to develop the very first mystery clocks in c.1830.

ATG letter: Cuneo workshop visit was later

17 February 2025

Your report on Onslows’ sale of posters (Auction Reports, ATG No 2678) states that “Terence Cuneo’s well-known poster Giants Refreshed was printed in 1939 for the LNER”.

13.2.25 Careless Talk Costs Lives Pub Poster

Careless Talk Costs Lives posters appear at auction

14 February 2025

A complete set of 'Careless Talk Saves Lives' posters by Punch cartoonist Fougasse (1887-1965) appeared at Jones & Jacob in Oxfordshire

Tech college gigs tempted big names such as Pink Floyd as poster shows

10 February 2025

Farnborough Technical College hosted many memorable bands for gigs it seems, judging from a six-lot selection of posters that appeared at Special Auction Services (20% buyer’s premium).

Harry Potter first edition earmarked for the bin now set for auction

24 January 2025

A first edition copy of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone' found on a pile of books earmarked for the bin is set to go to auction.

Our pick of 10 items that sold at Hansons' Eric Morecambe sale

16 January 2025

A lifetime collection of showbiz memorabilia brought sunshine to Morecambe & Wise collectors on January 10 as 807 lots from Eric Morecambe’s personal archive were offered by Hansons.

Thunderbirds are going, going, gone at auction

13 January 2025

A rare group of Fairylite Thunderbirds action figures sold for £2100 in Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) latest Toys, Models, Collectables & Sporting sale.

Spencer Davis' guitars highlight Bonhams' Pop Culture sale

09 January 2025

An online Pop Culture sale at Bonhams offers a tuneful slice of rock history from a musician who helped define the 1960s in Britain.

Heritage Auctions records highest-ever total for 2024

08 January 2025

Landmark entertainment, sports and comics auctions contributed to a fourth consecutive record-setting year for the US auction house

Harry Houdini King of Cards poster had been collected by Yorkshireman spellbound by magic

06 January 2025

Erik Weisz (1864-1926) launched his monumental career as the illusionist Harry Houdini in 1891 as a specialist in card tricks.

Handy for a bit of sharp practice at the card table