Wednesday, January 28, 1998
Memorabilia exhibition brings fans closer to the stars
MUSIC Christie’s comes to L.A. to display, auction pop culture’s
most coveted pieces of history
By Michelle Zubiate
Daily Bruin Contributor
There it is. A vision in green, it beckons you. Your mind starts
racing, your palms sweat, your eyes twitch in feverish
anticipation. Can this be real? You take a small step forward, then
hesitate. Are you really worthy? Yes, yes you are. You draw closer
and closer to that object of dizzying idolatry that appears before
you in all its synthetic glory.
It’s Bob Marley’s American Express card.
This scene may not be too far from reality for those who came
from all parts of Los Angeles to Christie’s of Beverly Hills for
the Pop Memorabilia Exhibition on Jan. 23 and 24. On display for
truly devoted rock ‘n’ roll fans were items ranging from
rock-goddess Janice Joplin’s feather boa to Jimi Hendrix’s velvet
jacket. These items were presented as highlights of pieces to be
auctioned in New York on Feb. 4.
About a block from Beverly Hills’ lush and infamous Rodeo Drive
lies the small, but elegant, Christie’s auction house that, for the
weekend, held a tidy display of rock artifacts against a background
of loudly-played classic rock.
Most of the larger and more unusual items were hard to miss in
their respective spaces of honor. These included a 4-foot Egyptian
water-pipe (basically a ritzy bong) once owned by psychedelia guru
Dr. Timothy Leary and a phallic-shaped necklace that belonged to
guitar-legend Jimi Hendrix (estimated to sell for at least $2,000).
Another item of Leary’s included a plastic Tuff-Lite water bottle
that he designed while entertaining thoughts of cryogenically
preserving his head, expected to draw in the $800-$1,200 range.
As New York popular arts specialist Simeon Lipman put it,
people’s interest in and willingness to spend a good deal of money
on these items results from their affinity for history.
"I personally have been involved with this business since I was
about 12 years old," Lipman said. "My interest stemmed from my love
of history, mainly pop history. Music, sports, entertainment …
that’s what these are. Pieces of history, tangible pieces of
history."
Lipman and a majority of the onlookers present shared the same
personal favorite item on display. Pages of Jim Morrison’s
handwritten lyrics are estimated to be sold for about $20,000.
"He’s the Lizard King," said Brentwood resident Sarah Hines. "Of
course we had to come see the lyrics. He’s the best!"
But were they looking to buy? The most popular response of the
day: "If we had the money? Hell yeah!" However, few seemed
optimistic about owning any of the treasures on display.
The event did not attract big-time spenders, but it did draw a
small – but steady – flow of visitors from all parts of Los
Angeles, from Hermosa Beach to the San Gabriel Valley. Most came in
search of a favorite artist’s former possessions. Few even knew
that it was possible for them to bid in the auction in New
York.
So how exactly does such an auction work? Christie’s in New York
holds pop memorabilia auctions about one or twice a year.
Christie’s runs the auction and makes a 10-20 percent profit off
the sale, depending on the final bid.
Where do the pieces come from? "Different estates," said Beth
Shepherd, an official from Christie’s of Beverly Hills. "The estate
of Timothy Leary, the estate of Bob Marley, etc. … Sometimes they
come from memorabilia collectors who are looking to sell."
Officials from New York explain that there are three ways of
bidding: in-person, by phone or by absentee bidding. Many
understand how the "in-person" part works by watching auction
scenes in movies (such as "First Wives Club"). But many do not know
that buyers can call in and bid through a Christie’s employee who
is designated as your "phone bidder." It is an increasingly popular
way of bidding and easy for those unable to attend because of the
distance.
Absentee bidders call in before the event and tell the
auctioneer their price. The auctioneer tells them if a bid that
high has already been placed for the object in question, or in
auctioning lingo, "lot." Then the potential buyer cites the highest
price he or she is willing to pay. Whether that’s good enough
depends those already in the room or on the phone, but a "bid on
the books" just might be a successful way to win that dream
commodity.
"We have a great display," Shepherd said. "We have Janice
Joplin’s clothes … her bell bottoms, her velvet top … There’s
the Hank Williams guitar, Bob Marley’s acoustic guitar, Timothy
Leary’s favorite psychedelic jacket."
Some lucky person will be the fine owner of one or more of these
items and subsequently will leave with their wallet a little
lighter..
The most expensive item Christie’s of New York has seen sold is
a Van Gogh painting taken home for only $82.5 million.
And the Bob Marley credit card? It is estimated to go for about
$2,000-$4,000.
At that price, you might just never leave home with it.
Christie’s Press Office
An autographed pressing of John Lennon’s album, "Unfinished
Music No. 2 Life With The Lions," for sale.