Why does an item of memorabilia sell for big bucks?
It's often a combination of the following:
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A famous name
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Rarity
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Superb condition
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Impeccable provenance
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Unquestionable authenticity
Then there's a factor that can launch a piece of memorabilia to a completely new level. And it was demonstrated to us this week by two major auction results.
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The sale of the electric guitar Bob Dylan played the first time he went electric - for $965,000.
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The $1.4m auction of Jesse Owens' gold medal from the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
It's the "historic event".
Memorabilia closely connected with key events in history, or a key event in a person's career, are the blue chip items for collectors.
So yes, while all Jesse Owens memorabilia will appeal to some, the gold medals he won in defiance of Hitler - a feat still revered today - are the very pinnacle of the Jesse Owens sector.
Likewise with Dylan. Is there a more famous moment in his career than when he swapped his acoustic for a Fender Strat at Newport in 1965?
And because of the fame of these events, memorabilia connected with them appeals not just to collectors of Owens or Dylan, but to a vast number of buyers - pushing prices higher.
Regular Bob Dylan guitars that he has "merely" owned and signed have sold for just $8,200 in the past, displaying the impact a "historic event" connection can have on the sale price.
3 suggestions for you
I appreciate that not everyone has the means to own items connected with history's most famous moments, yet if you do, it's well worth seeking them out.
Not only are they among the most exciting pieces of memorabilia to own, they're the items most likely to grow in value over the coming years.
It's why I'm so proud to offer items such as the original fabric from the Spirit of St Louis - the plane Charles Lindbergh piloted in the historic first flight from New York to Paris in 1927.
We also have a racing plate which Red Rum wore to his fabled third Grand National victory, and an England 1966 World Cup squad signed menu, from the day of the team's Final victory over West Germany.
There's still time for all the items above to be with you for Christmas, if you act fast!
As ever, thanks for reading,
Paul
P.S Our sister company, PFC Auctions' superb online sale ends on December 12. Why not grab yourself a pre-Christmas bargain?
