2023-07-31
Barrett on Paper
Omega
On July 4, 2023, Omega Auctions had a ‘Showcase Sale’ of Guitars, Music memorabilia, and Rare Vinyl Records. So far, nothing spectacular, as these things are auctioned every day. But lots 419 and 430 were something else for the early Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett collectors.
This is merely a post for archival purposes, as the items generated almost no interest whatsoever. Perhaps they weren’t mentioned on social media to keep the number of potential bidders as low as possible.
The following descriptions and pictures have been taken from the auction website.
LOT 419 - PINK FLOYD - SYD BARRETT'S HANDWRITTEN LYRICS FOR 'JUGBAND BLUES'.
A page of lined paper (20 x 33cm) with three verses (19 lines) and chord structures for Pink Floyd - Jugband Blues, in the hand of Syd Barrett. Jugband was to Barrett's sole songwriting contribution on 'Saucerful of Secrets'.
Provenance: from the collection of Peter Jenner, legendary manager of Pink Floyd and other noted acts of the 1960s-1990s. Accompanied with signed letter of authenticity from the daughter of Peter and archivist of the Jenner collection since the 1990s.
As far as we know these handwritten lyrics weren’t auctioned before. For more information about Jugband Blues you can read our article from 2014: Hurricane over London.
Jugband Blues was sold for £9,500.
Pictures
LOT 430 - PINK FLOYD - HANDWRITTEN LYRICS BY SYD BARRETT FOR APPLES AND ORANGES.
Two lined sheets of paper (each approx 20 x 33cm) with handwritten lyrics by Syd Barrett c 1967 for Pink Floyd - Apples and Oranges. With verses, chorus and chord structures. 32 lines. Very good condition. Also to include a one page typed set of lyrics for 'Apples and Oranges', which according to accompanying provenance documents, was likely used within the 'Blackhill' offices for publishing purposes.
Provenance: both the handwritten and typed lyrics are from the collection of Peter Jenner, legendary manager of Pink Floyd and other noted acts of the 1960s-1990s. Both are accompanied with signed letters of authenticity from the daughter of Peter and archivist of the Jenner collection since the 1990s.
This was sold for £15,000.
Those who do consult this blog will perhaps remember that this item was put up for sale before. It was part of the Bonhams Rock, Pop & Film auction of May 2023, where it didn’t reach the bottom price of £20,000, with an estimation to get close to £30,000.
You can find our previous article about it at: An Apple a Day…
Pictures
PINK FLOYD - HANDWRITTEN LYRICS BY SYD BARRETT FOR VEGETABLE MAN
These weren’t the only times that handwritten lyrics of Syd Barrett from the Peter Jenner archives were auctioned. The Bonhams Autumn Sale of 2022 had Syd’s copy of Vegetable Man. (See: Vegetable Man For Sale)
While they tried keeping it a secret that it came from Peter Jenner, this was obviously clear, especially when they quoted from the ‘innerview’ this blog had with Peter Jenner in 2014, without mentioning its source. (See: An innerview with Peter Jenner)
Vegetable Man had a bottom price of £30,000, which wasn’t reached as the highest bid was £22,000. We assume that the item wasn’t sold then and there, but as it didn’t show up at Omega Auctions, it might have found a seller outside the auction.
Pictures of the handwritten lyrics can be consulted at: Vegetable Man For Sale.
Afterthought
So far, three handwritten lyrics (and one typescript) have been put up for sale, coming from Peter Jernner’s archives. The question is why these are absent from ‘The Lyrics of Syd Barrett’, compiled and investigated by Rob Chapman, especially as the foreword of this book was written by Jenner himself. (Read our review at: The Syd Barrett Cookbook)
But the attentive reader of this blog knows that the Pink Floyd marketing machine is of far greater importance than historical accuracy.
Other Meaningful Articles
While you’re at it, why don’t you read the articles about the auctions in 2022 and 2023 or the Rich Hall / Felix Atagong / Birdie Hop interview with Peter Jenner, dating from 2014?
An innerview with Peter Jenner: An
innerview with Peter Jenner
Bonhams Auctions 2022
(Vegetable Man): Vegetable
Man For Sale
Bonhams Auctions 2023 (Apples and Oranges): An
Apple a Day…
Omega Auctions 2023 (Apples and Oranges
/ Jugband Blues): Barrett
on Paper
♥ Iggy ♥ Libby ♥
