A rare fully signed Led Zeppelin album and a large single owner collection of David Bowie vinyl records will be auctioned at a Leicestershire auctioneers this month.
They will be sold by Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough in an online-only Music, Vinyl & Memorabilia auction on Thursday 31st August at 11am.
The copy of Led Zeppelin’s 1977 album Houses of the Holy is signed by all four band members; Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham; a rarity due to the untimely death of drummer John Bonham aged 32 in 1980.
The signatures were acquired by the vendor in Gatwick Airport when the band were returning for a break during their tour of America in 1977. Due to its scarcity, the album is expected to attract bids of between £1,200 – £1,800.
The single owner David Bowie collection is comprised of 121 lots in the form of vinyl albums, singles and some CDs. It spans Bowie’s entire career from his first single Liza Jane, released in 1964 when he was 17 in the name of Davie Jones with The King Bees, to his final studio album, 2016’s Blackstar.
The collection goes beyond a typical collection of one copy of each album and single, as the vendor acquired an almost complete discography, then added copies of nearly every pressing of each release. The collection also contains rare promotional records, unofficial releases and many first pressings of David Bowie’s iconic albums.
“With the fully signed Led Zeppelin album and the vast collection of David Bowie records, this auction is a real treasure trove for music collectors,” comments Gildings’ music and memorabilia specialist Andrew Smith.
“To have the opportunity to work through Bowie’s near complete discography is something I’m unlikely to ever do again. Now music fans from all over the world have the chance to own a part of this remarkable and highly dedicated collection of one of the most iconic figures of 20th century pop culture.”
Highlights include two copies of an unofficial red vinyl release of the 1977 album Low, estimated at £80 – £120 and a US promotional copy of the 1970 album The Man Who Sold the World, which is expected to attract bids of between £100 – £200. Private pressings include a set of three records including 1974’s Subway and a set of four including 1976’s Wish Upon a Star, both estimated at £100 – £200. There is also the chance to acquire 2015’s 12 LP vinyl boxset David Bowie Five Years (1969 – 1973), which is estimated at £300 – £500.
“This stunning modern-day anthology charting the five years of David Bowie’s rise to international stardom will make the perfect present for any fan, and the private pressings are an incredible opportunity to own recordings of live performances of Bowie at his very peak” adds Andrew Smith. “Not only that, in the year of the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic album covers of all time, Aladdin Sane, the sale offers several opportunities to acquire pressings which were released around the world, including a Japanese pressing which is estimated at £40 – £60.”
As well as many other collectable vinyl records including Led Zeppelin’s The Song Remains The Same, signed by Jimmy Page and Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours signed by Stevie Nicks, the auction also includes a collection of six art deco jukeboxes. These includie a 1940 Wurlitzer Model 800 Art Deco Jukebox and a 1939 Rock-Ola DE-39 Deluxe Luxury Light-up Art Deco Jukebox, both estimated at £800 – £1600.
“It’s rare to see genuine American jukeboxes here in the UK and these ones have all come from a house in Leicester in a state of originality rarely seen, just waiting for someone to restore them to their former glory,” says Andrew Smith.
The sale is available to view on Gildings’ website, with viewing available by appointment on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th August.
