First off the line test pressing of 'We Will Rock
You' from the world-famous Abbey Road studios. 1977. |
Here is a selection of various
Queen pieces of what are now termed ‘memorabilia’ - or ‘collectibles’.
I am certainly no authority on Queen records (though I do have a blue
‘Bo Rhap’ from the limited edition of 200 - courtesy of
Fred) but items connected directly to touring, such as itineraries,
jackets, T shirts, passes etc, I have a very good memory for. As well
as a unique recollection of other items that passed through.....
As to avoiding fake Queen items; I would always suggest that you always
ask for provenance from the seller. Who are they? How did they get
it - and from who?
If it’s from the 70’sor 80’s - it’s realtively
old, and should smell, look and feel old. |
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If something is offered for sale with a COA (Certificate of authenticity)
beware!! Provenance is what is needed - not something that can be
printed out randomly on a computer. If the item is rare and/or expensive
then by all means ask for a letter from the seller listing provenance.
As to autographs - I have seen the signatures of all of Queen on
countless occasions, but all I have is a ‘feel’ for whether
an autograph is genuine. I am certainly no expert. The only Queen
signatures I was ever interested in were any 2 from 4 on a Queen
Productions cheque !!
I don’t even have a set of their autographs........
Would you ask your boss for his ?
If you have any questions or want further information on any Queen
autographs I recommend you visit this excellent site:
www.queenautographs.com
This is run by Mr Scully who also hosts the very impressive queenconcerts.com
He gives good advice on how to buy a genuine autograph and to avoid
the many fakes that appear regularly now.
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Mott The Hoople and Queen
'WANTED' flyer, 1973 |
Tambourine from 1975 UK NATO tour. I used some odd roll of red gaffa
tape to secure the foam pad to protect Fred’s leg. After that
tour black gaffa was always used on Fred’s tambourines. This
is probably the only tambourine from that period in existence. |
Fred using the red-taped tambourine. 1975 |
A Night At The Opera which the band signed for my mum backstage.
Birmingham, 1975 |
Hyde Park - presented to me (and all the crew) by John Reid’s
management for the Hyde Park free concert September 1976. |
Bonus envelope given to all members of the entourage when the Budokan
in Tokyo sold out. Japan 1976. Contents were about £2.00. |
Itinerary for the US NOTW tour, 1977 |
Itinerary for A Day At The Races tour.
Europe, 1977 |
Itinerary for the US DATR tour, 1977 |
Itinerary for US Jazz tour, 1978 |
A pair of maraccas - used by Fred on stage during Live Killers tour.
Later by Queen in the studio in Munich and almost certainly on 'Dragon
Attack'. |
Queen tour matches, 1980
T.R.T. Transport Services, who
supplied the private plane for the tour.
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Elektra Under Pressure lighter, 1981
Promotional item made by Elektra records in USA. Extremely rare and
very sought after. |
A 'Thank You' presented to me for
Live Aid, 1985 |
Fred's personal Christmas card 1984.
The printed message inside reads:
"Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy
New year from the Preening,Pouting,
Posing, Posturing old tart".
The inscription to me is
"Dear Ratty - Lots of Love - Freddie . |
Ticket for Budapest, 1986 |
Fred's Concorde luggage tag |
The chair used by Fred for the "Snooker Player" photo shoot.
Later used as the cover for the 'Freddie Mercury Collection' album. |
Tuning fork used for instrument tuning on Queen tours. |
Magic tour itinerary, 1986 |
One of Roger's drumsticks and drum tuning key. |
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| © Peter Hince, 2007 |
