GUERNSEY, Channel Islands – Britain’s Paul Fraser has built a
stellar international reputation from the sale of blue-chip collectibles, rare
stamps, antiques and pop-culture memorabilia. His insightful, always
entertaining newsletters are read religiously by investors and often quoted by
the media in their quirky “we leave you with this” stories on TV or in print.
Now Paul Fraser has stepped into the auction arena with the launch of PFC
Auctions, whose debut online auction closing May 24 features a blockbuster
lineup of unique, investment-grade collectibles.
A trusted source for 35+ years to collectors in 214 countries, Fraser has
brokered numerous high-profile transactions, such as the sale of John Lennon’s
stamp album to the Smithsonian, and a deal with the Royal Philatelic Collection
of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As PFC’s May 24 auction roster attests,
Fraser gives the people what they want: entertainment, sports and autographed
celebrity memorabilia; royalty items, space and aviation relics, as well as the
offbeat and unexpected. “Anything unique with an interesting story and great
provenance will sell well,” Fraser said.
With the recent first wedding anniversary of Prince William and Princess
Catherine, Fraser expects strong interest in Lot
125, a slice of wedding cake from the royal couple’s 2011 wedding. Held in a
presentation tin, the distinguished dessert is accompanied by a printed
“compliments” slip from TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, as
well as a 16-page Order of Service from Westminster Abbey.
Princess Diana’s enduring appeal has already prompted aggressive bidding on Lot 124, a collection of record albums that belonged to
the princess-to-be while she was still a young Lady Diana Spencer. Each album
cover was personally signed by Diana, in some cases more than once.
Yet another of the sale’s royal highlights is Lot
128, a family-photo Christmas card of Prince Charles, Princess Diana, the young
Princes William and Harry, and their pet dog. The card is personally inscribed
by Prince Charles and signed by both Charles and Diana.
Fraser feels confident that a US
buyer will end up with Lot 133, an American
Flag autographed respectfully on verso by three legendary astronauts: Neil
Armstrong, Jim Lovell and Gene Cernan. The astronaut trio signed the flag
during a NATO-sponsored visit to Afghanistan in 2011.
“This flag is a superb display piece with an exceptional set of autographs
from the first and last men to set foot on the moon (Armstrong and Cernan) and
the first man to orbit the moon (Lovell),” Fraser said. Autographs are
continuing to appreciate in the marketplace, Fraser noted. “We’re witnessing
full sets of Apollo 11 signatures increase in value by 15% per annum,” he said.
Impeccable provenance accompanies both Lot
90, a Fender Duo-Sonic guitar once owned by John Lennon; and Lot 98, Lennon’s
black leather suitcase. Sold previously in a Christie’s auction (1996), the
suitcase came directly from the collection of Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia.
“The King” is represented in the sale by Lot
87, a circa-1958 Alden copper and bronze-finish electric guitar that Elvis
Presley owned during his military days. The lot also includes an amplifier, a
selection of Elvis photos and a letter of authenticity.
Lot 95 is the vividly hued, Indian serape-stripe jacket Bob Dylan wore on
the cover of his classic 1975 The Basement Tapes LP. It is offered with a
letter of authenticity that describes the events surrounding Dylan’s
acquisition of the now-iconic jacket.
The sports memorabilia section is led by Lot
102, a pair of brown leather focus mitts owned and used by martial arts
superstar Bruce Lee (1940-1973). Lee used the mitts regularly in his training
while practicing punching and kicking techniques. The lot’s provenance is
extensively detailed in the online-catalog listing.
From the world of professional motor sports comes a pair of leather racing
gloves that revered Scottish driver Jim Clark Jr OBE (1936-1968) wore during
his last Formula 1 practice session at the South African Grand Prix track. They
are paired with a letter of provenance from Gordon Huckle, who was the mechanic
on Clark’s car from 1966-1968. Clark died
during an F2 race in Germany
on April 7, 1968.
The world-class selection of art, antiques and pop-culture collectibles
chosen for PFC’s debut online auction comes with the same assurance of
authenticity Paul Fraser has offered for more than 35 years as a private
dealer. And that assurance extends to even the most unconventional offerings,
like hair.
“Celebrity hair always attracts comment when it appears at auction. It’ll be
interesting to see what happens with the Justin Bieber (Lot 76) and Michael
Jackson (Lot 77) hair cuttings,” said Fraser.
Strands of hair from Elvis (Lot 80) and also Marilyn Monroe (Lot
78), obtained the day she famously sang “Happy birthday, Mr. President” to John
F. Kennedy, are entered, as well.
Bidding is currently in progress on all lots in PFC’s debut online auction.
For additional information on any item in the sale, call 011 44 117 933 9500 or
e-mail info@pfcauctions.com. To view all lots and sign up to bid, visit the
company’s user-friendly website: www.pfcauctions.com.
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American Flag signed by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Jim
Lovell and Gene Cernan on a recent trip to Afghanistan. PFC Auctions image.
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