Did you know that the world’s biggest collector of David Bowie memorabilia was in fact the man himself? In 1998, the chameleonic musician bought the entire collection from David Priest who once ran the internet’s biggest David Bowie fan site. Bowie may no longer be with us, but his music, legendary onstage personas and incredible memorabilia will undoubtedly live to stand the test of time. Discover the five most expensive David Bowie memorabilia ever sold.
5. Original Self Portrait - €8,444
As well as releasing an impressive 25 studio albums during his career, Bowie also demonstrated his talent as an actor in over 20 feature films. He played Thomas Jerome Newton from 'The Man Who Fell From Earth' in 1976, and created an original self portrait around the same time. Bowie signed the sketch ‘For Nick, Love Bowie’ and gave it to the film’s director, Nicolas Rogue. The sketch was sold for €8,444 in October 2015, shortly before Bowie’s passing.
Image Source: Invaluable
4. A Lock of Hair - €15,626
Yes, that’s right, a real lock of David Bowie’s hair went under the hammer in Los Angeles. The lot's description read: ‘a snippet of the singer’s pale blonde hair, tied together with blue thread, affixed to the upper left corner of a black and white photograph depicting Bowie standing next to the current owner’. Where did it come from you ask? Wig maker Wendy Farrier took the lovely golden lock from Bowie’s head after he posed for his waxwork at Madame Tussauds in London in 1983.
Image Source: Daily Mirror
Whether you prefer a slice of Major Tom, Ziggy Stardust or Thin White Duke, the onstage personas that Bowie created throughout his long-lasting career are what many remember the incredible musician for most. It is no big shock then that the last costume he wore for his final public performance of Ziggy Stardust in 1973 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London sold for €18,279 in 2007. The flamboyant work of art, designed and made by Bowie’s friend Freddi Buretti, is an asymmetrical blue outfit that fits tight to the skin and exposes one leg and shoulder. With a satin décor and fiery flames in orange and red, this legendary ensemble highlights Bowie at the pinnacle of his career.
Image Source: Daily Mirror
2. Handwritten Lyrics for The Jean Genie - €23,213
Titled, dated and signed simply ‘Bowie’ by the man himself, next on the list we have the lyrics for the song ‘The Jean Genie’ from Bowie’s 1973 album Aladdin Sane. Bowie originally gave the lyrics to Neal Peters, who was appointed by the musician to head the original David Bowie Fan Club in America. The single page of lyrics was written on cream lined notebook paper across 18 lines in black ballpoint pen. First bought in 2010 for €11,915, the lyrics went up for sale again on July 3, 2013 and fetched an impressive €23,213. The lead single for his album was described by Bowie as “a smorgasbord of imagined Americana!”
1. ‘Musical Pet’ Turntable - €218,517
As part of a two-day auction in London in 2016, David Bowie’s custom Brionvega record player sold for a staggering €218,517. Designed as a ‘musical pet’, the turntable was created by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in Italy in 1966. It was made of plastic-laminated wood, painted aluminium and polycarbonate and was presented on custom castors. In fact, the cream coloured work of art was said to be the frontman’s pride and joy.
Image Source: What Hi-Fi?
David Bowie is one of the most influential and inspirational musicians of all time. Check out the David Bowie memorabilia at our online auctions and see what treasures are available. From tickets to vintage t-shirts and from records to posters, discover the selection for yourself.
Perhaps you have some memorabilia you’d like to sell? All you need to do is register as a seller. It’s quick, free and easy and you can start offering up your items for auction straight away!
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