A collection of more than 300 rare pieces of music history, assembled over five decades by music industry veteran Lindsay Brown, is to be sold at auction at Omega Auctions in Newton-le-Willows this month.
The sale, titled Time Has Told Me – 50 Years in Music, takes place on Tuesday, 15 September and features memorabilia connected to some of the biggest names in rock and pop history, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Kate Bush, Nick Drake, Black Sabbath and the New York Dolls.
Brown’s career in the music industry began in 1969, when he worked as Social Secretary at Ewell Tech, promoting concerts by artists including Deep Purple, Genesis and Nick Drake. He went on to hold senior positions at a number of major labels and entertainment companies, including Polydor and Eagle Rock Entertainment, where as Managing Director he signed The Rolling Stones for visual rights.
Among the most significant lots is an extremely rare poster from a 1970 Ewell Technical College concert featuring Atomic Rooster, Genesis and Nick Drake – expected to achieve more than £5,000. Posters featuring Nick Drake are exceptionally scarce given his well-documented reluctance to perform live, and this may be the first example ever to come to the open market.
Also expected to attract strong interest is a poster for the New York Dolls’ first-ever UK performance in November 1973, valued at more than £1,000, and an authenticated Beatles autograph book accompanied by Bonhams auction documentation, expected to fetch more than £3,000.
Other highlights include Kate Bush memorabilia from her 1979 tour, a Fender Telecaster signed by Keith Richards, a 1969 Woodstock ticket, and a framed 1968 poster for a performance billed as The Yardbirds at Ewell Technical College – which in fact turned out to be one of the earliest performances by Led Zeppelin, playing to an audience of around 150 people.
Lindsay Brown said: “My collection reflects a lifetime in the music industry and a lifelong passion for music. I’ve worked with incredible artists and witnessed some extraordinary moments in music history. Most of these items represent personal memories as much as collectible artefacts. I’m delighted that they will now have the opportunity to be appreciated by other collectors and music enthusiasts.”
An auction preview takes place on Monday, 14 September, with the auction itself the following day. The full catalogue is available to view at Omega Auctions’ website.