20th Century Music and Memorabilia Sale a Hit For Heritage-Odyssey

Dallas, Texas: Heritage-Odyssey, a division of Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers, held its sale of music and Hollywood memorabilia on Thursday and Friday, September 30 and October 1. With prices realized of $375,306.44 so far (After-Auction offers are still being accepted, so we expect the total to climb higher), a total of 785 bidders placed bids on 1,066 lots offered. 188 bidders successfully purchased 743 lots, for a total sell-through of 67.160%. Bids were accepted by live floor bidding, mail, fax, email, telephone and proxy via Heritage's web site www.HeritageGalleries.com, as well as live bidding through iCollector, Heritage and eBay Live Auctions. 233 bidders, 111 of whom were successful, participated via Heritage's Internet site, and 453 bidders, 15 of whom won lots, participated via eBay Live Auctions.

This was the first Music and Memorabilia sale held since Doug Norwine was hired as Director of Music and Entertainment at Heritage. "It was a thrilling sale", said Norwine. "I was proud that my first outing turned out so successfully. What a pleasure it was to put this sale together with all the wonderful, hardworking staff here at Heritage. They worked with diligence, pride, and most importantly, enthusiasm! With this kind of support staff, we can only get better and better."

One of the highlights of this sale was a collection of Imperial Gold Records, consigned to Heritage by the Estate of Lew Chudd, founder of the record company. His son, Andy Chudd, contacted us immediately after the auction to say, "I was thrilled to have chosen Heritage-Odyssey to sell my collection. The total price realized for the records was well over 3 times the amount I was previously offered by a generous private party!"

Looking toward the future, Doug Norwine added, "We are already receiving some amazing pieces for our next sale, which will be held in early 2005 - including a John Lennon-owned piano with unquestionable provenance that has been off the market for 20 years. The piano was last auctioned by Yoko Ono through Sotheby's in 1984 to raise money for her charitable foundation. This upcoming sale is going to be truly fantastic. I don't want to reveal anything more at this point, except to say, Stay tuned: the best is yet to come!"

A few other highlights from the 20th Century Music and Memorabilia Sale include:

George Jones Stage-Worn 2-Piece Suit Designed by Nudie Cohn with Gold Boots and Record Album Picturing Suit.
George Jones will always be one of the most beloved Country Music icons. Nudie Cohn, the Halston of Honky Tonk, designed this black, two-piece stage suit worn by Jones. The suit has an ornate design, and across the back and down the legs, Nudie has embroidered, "White Lightning," The above outfit appeared on the cover of the George Jones' album, "Walk Through This World With Me." This suit also comes with a pair of George Jones' gold boots. This suit was not only owned and worn by a country legend, but also designed by a country legend. Est. $5,000. Realized $8,962.50

Beach Boys' Brian Wilson Signed Contract.
This is an application for membership in the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, dated December 1961, and signed by Wilson, as well as a signed agreement that the initiation fee would be deducted from Wilson's fee for appearing on the show "Pop Dance Party." This was their first paying gig as The Beach Boys! Accompanied by COA from PSA/DNA. Est. $400. Realized $7,170.00.

Fats Domino "Blueberry Hill" Imperial Gold Record (1958).
It's hard to believe Fats never had a #1 hit on the Pop charts, but this classic came closest for him, residing at #2 for three weeks and charting for an incredible 27 weeks in 1956. Originally a #2 hit for Glenn Miller in 1940, Fats' version is timeless, true to the original but distinguished by Domino's unique style. Grammy Hall of Fame awardee in 1987. The Gold Record here is one of the brightest in the set, befitting the stature of one of the finest singles ever recorded. Est. $3,000. Realized $5,975.00.

Ricky Nelson "Poor Little Fool" Imperial Gold Record Award (1958).
Ricky Nelson's all-time biggest hit was also his first #1 record, and the #1 record on Billboard's very first 'Hot 100' chart (8/4/58). All pretty heady stuff for a youngster barely 18 years old! Est. $2,000. Realized $5,736.00.

Merle Travis Two-Piece Suit Designed by Nudie, Shirt, and Boots.
Merle Travis can be truly described as a "Renaissance Man" of the country music world. Not only is he forever a legend on guitar and for his songwriting and singing, but Travis was also a renowned guitar designer and author. In 1946, after signing with Capitol Records, Merle scored his first vocal hit with "Cincinnati Lou", then followed with a number one hit entitled, "Divorce Me C.O.D". Travis designed an electric Spanish solid-body guitar in 1948, and the legend goes that this instrument (on display in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum) inspired Merle's good friend, Leo Fender to design what would become the Fender Telecaster electric guitar! During the 1950s, Travis worked in and around Los Angeles and even appeared in the classic 1953 film, "From Here To Eternity", as a guitar-picking soldier. In 1955, Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded Travis's song, "Sixteen Tons". The song immediately became an American classic. Merle Travis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1977 and died in 1983. The embroidery work on this coat designed especially for Travis by Nudie Cohn is painstakingly intricate and represents the showiness of Nudie's work. The designer's label is in the pants and the coat, as is the name of Merle Travis. One of Merle's shirts is also included to complete this classic outfit. Normal age wear with no major defects. Included in this lot is also a pair of Merle's cowboy boots. Est. $3,500. Realized $5,019.00

1929 National - Style One - Tricone Model - Hawaiian Guitar Serial #1854.
This vintage acoustic guitar, in fine, original condition, is quite a desirable collectible musical instrument on its own merit, but the mystery of ownership that surrounds it makes this guitar even more interesting. National Guitar Company, now located in San Luis Obispo, California, began manufacturing these metal acoustic guitars in 1927. The first great artist who endorsed these instruments Sol Ho' Opi' I (pronounced Who-Oo-Pee-Pee), who is regarded by guitar aficionados around the world as "King of the Steel Guitar," because he invented the multiple tunings that are popular today and was the first and greatest artist in this style. Sol was given three National Guitars to use and endorse. He was an international star, and from 1925-1927, the Hawaiian rage in Hollywood earned Sol movie credits performing with such stars as Mary Pickford, Dick Powell, and Ruby Keeler. Sol was married twice; his first wife was named Georgia Stiffler. Georgia an avid devotee of Aimee Semple McPherson, the famous evangelist. Through Georgia, Sol joined McPherson's religious cause. This guitar has "Georgia" engraved on it, and it is purported to have been one of the three endorsement instruments given to Sol by National Guitar. If so, it would be a "Holy Grail" for the guitar collector. At the least, it is a rare and desirable instrument in pristine condition that would be a valued addition to any musician's arsenal, plus, its mysterious history would certainly provide an entire evening's conversation and speculation. Est. $2,500. Realized $3,226.50.

John Lennon - "Aquabee Quickie Sketch Pad" Drawing Original Art (1976).
As John and Yoko celebrated the birth of their son Sean, they made plans to visit Japan. In preparation for the trip, John enrolled in the famous Berlitz School of Languages to study Japanese. Part of his training involved an assignment consisting of a series of sketches, illustrated by John with phonetic Japanese captions. This drawing is one of twenty-one done at the time by Lennon, this one featuring the captions "Excuse me a little", and "Yes, go ahead." The sketch appears to be in ballpoint pen, on a sketchbook page measuring approximately 8.5" x 5.5"; it has been professionally matted to an overall size of 23" x 20", and is in Excellent condition. Lennon sketches are always tough to find; here's something a little different from one of the greatest Rock artists of all time, drawn as he entered what would be the last phase of his life -- loving father and husband. Authenticated by Frank Caiazzo, noted Beatles expert. Est. $3,000. Realized $3,824.00.

Bill (Honky Tonk) Doggett Cash Box Award for Best R&B Group-1956.
Offered here is a truly amazing piece of musical history from the seminal period of Rock and Roll. This is Bill Doggett's Cash Box Award for "Honky Tonk." The Cash Box Award was the forerunner of the Grammy Award! Organist Doggett's simple tune became a huge hit. The Rock and Roll crowd embraced it, and this recording was one of the first events that helped fuse R&B with Rock and Roll. "Honky Tonk" is considered to be the first Rock and Roll instrumental. Doggett followed with several other minor successes, but it would always be "Honky Tonk" that Doggett, who died in 1996, would be remembered for. A plaque on this award is inscribed, "Presented In Behalf Of The Automatic Music Industry Of America To Bill Doggett - The Best R&B Orchestra - 1956." Also included in this lot is an 8"x10" original black and white photo showing Doggett proudly holding this award, with the members of his group, including Billy Butler, Shep Shepherd, and Clifford Scott surrounding him. A true treasure for any music collector! Est. $2,000. Realized $3,107.00.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageGalleries.com.