Musical Instruments & Memorabilia

An unexpected assist from the Richard Strauss Institute helped Clarke Auction Gallery (25% buyer’s premium) to hammer down a musical manuscript page for $9500 (£6970) against a guide of $800-1200.

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.

Two markedly different publications prompted contests from quite different groups of bidders at Millea Bros (25% buyer’s premium) in Boonton, New Jersey, the second day of a three-day auction at the house.

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

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

Before hitting stratospheric heights, US grunge rockers Nirvana were playing on a European tour in late 1991 in front of crowd of 700 at one point.

The only known bass drumhead featuring John Bonham’s personal symbol – the interlocking rings that became his mark after Led Zeppelin’s fourth album – hammered at $70,000 (£53,000) at Heritage (25% buyer’s premium) in Dallas.

A suitably psychedelic 1967 poster of Bob Dylan, designed by Martin Sharp, fetched £900 at the James & Sons (25% buyer’s premium inc VAT) auction in Fakenham on January 15.

Now famous for a career of filling stadiums as one of the biggest and most successful bands in the world, Pink Floyd played more humble venues back in the day.

“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.

“This has been the biggest single cataloguing job of my career - an extraordinary experience,” said John Silke, vinyl specialist of Surrey saleroom Ewbank’s (25% buyer’s premium).