Music Memorabilia Auctions

Are you a passionate collector looking to buy or sell music memorabilia? At Cullens of Surrey, our auctions offer a unique opportunity to own a piece of music history. From rare vinyl records and signed pop albums to vintage rock & roll concert posters, our curated selection features items from the biggest names in music across all genres and eras.

With our expertise and commitment to authenticity, you can bid with confidence knowing that every item in our collection is genuine and verified, or sell knowing you’ve received the most accurate valuations. Join us in celebrating the legacy of your favourite artists and discover the perfect addition to your music memorabilia collection at Cullens of Surrey.

Sell Your Music Memorabilia

Buy At Auction

Background Information:

The United Kingdom boasts a significant history with music, producing icons such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, David Bowie, and George Michael. Naturally, there is a great deal of nostalgia and popularity attached to these music legends and any memorabilia associated with them becomes even more sought after.

Many people, past and present, decorate their rooms with music memorabilia, from posters of their favourite bands to signed merchandise from the biggest festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, and Creamfields. Avid music collectors search for more unique, valuable memorabilia, including used instruments, tour props and even used clothing, all of which can appear in auction houses up and down the UK.

High-Value Sales

One of the most expensive, if not the most expensive piece of music memorabilia ever sold at auction happened overseas in the USA in 2022. The item in question, a 1969 Fender Mustang electric guitar, once belonged to former Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain and was famously used in the music video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, perhaps the most well-known song the US-based band ever produced. The guitar sold for a massive $4.5 million (just over £3.5 million), a portion of which went to mental-health awareness charity “Kicking The Stigma”.

Image Credit: Rollingstone.com

Image Credit: montecristomagazine.com

Slightly more peculiar (but not the most peculiar you’ll read here today), The Beatles star John Lennon purchased a matte black Rolls Royce back in 1964, which experienced damage during filming for the movie “How I Won the War”, which featured Lennon himself. As a result of this damage, the car was repainted with a bizarre assortment of colours, giving it a psychedelic appearance. In 1985, five years after Lennon’s death, the car went up for auction, selling for a huge $2.29 million (£1.7 million). The car was on display at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, Canada until 2020.

Image Credit: ultimateclassicrock.com

Fun Fact

If you thought the psychedelic car was bizarre, wait for this one. The dance floor used in the famous film “Saturday Night Fever”, starring John Travolta, was put up for auction in 2017, selling for $1.2 million (just under £940,000). Yes, someone bought the actual dance floor used in the scene where Tony Manero, played by Travolta, stole the show with his dance moves. I guess you could say that this dance floor is “Stayin’ Alive”, for now.

General Tips for Music Memorabilia - Buying and Selling

Buying and selling at auction is an exciting process for all involved, and at Cullens of Surrey, we prioritise our clients’ enjoyment to create memorable experiences. To get the best out of your auction experience, regardless if you’re a buyer or seller, there are several tips we recommend following:

Inspect the Item’s Condition: Better quality items will typically sell for more at auction; if you’re selling music memorabilia, inspect the item's condition. If you’re a buyer, you’ll want the highest quality possible for your money, so make sure you know what you’re buying.
Be Realistic About Pricing: Budgets are important at auction. For sellers, ensure your starting price is fair, as too high a starting price may deter buyers. For buyers, determine your maximum bid before you start, as it’s easy to get carried away in bidding wars!
Understand Auction Fees: Ensure you understand commission, listing fees and other costs associated with the auction process before you begin. Reputable auction houses will be honest and up-front about the fees involved.
Familiarise With the Auction Process: If you’re new to auctions, familiarise yourself with the auction house's rules, fees, and bidding process. Be aware of the buyer's premiums, taxes, and shipping costs that may be added to your final bid.

Looking to Sell With Us?

If you have any music memorabilia that you’re looking to sell, or any other entertainment and memorabilia, we offer various routes, such as at auction, direct purchasing or third-party sellers. You can read about each selling route in more detail on our dedicated “Selling At Auction” page.

Explore Our Different Ways to Buy at Auction

At Cullens of Surrey, we offer multiple ways to buy at auction, offering you the flexibility to bid from the comfort of your home. If you have any questions about our auctions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!