2024-06-07
The Case of the Painted Floorboards (v 2.024)
Any colour you like
In 2012, that’s over a decade ago!, the Holy Church published an article titled: The Case of the Painted Floorboards (v 2.012). In it, we compared the different testimonies about the true colours of the floorboards in Syd’s apartment. Over the years, people have attributed different colours, and it seemed funny to list these, once and for all. Boy, were we wrong!
These colours ranged from blue (Iggy Rose, Jennifer Spires) to green (Jenny Fabian) to turquoise (Mick Rock), and from orange (Libby Gausden, Malcolm Jones, Mick Rock, Jennifer Spires) to purple (Malcolm Jones) to red (Jenny Fabian, Iggy Rose).
What was meant to be a quirky footnote in the life and works of Syd Barrett suddenly erupted into a floorboard colour war, that was fought openly on social media and privately in chat and mail.
Mourning wood
From time to time people asked if the painted floorboards were still present in Duggie’s flat, hidden under the linoleum floor.
And apparently, it was… The new owner of the Duggie Fields apartment did some renovations and found the intact wooden planks.
And these are now up for a Vinyl and Memorabilia Showcase auction at Omega Auctions, on the 2nd of July, 2024 at 10:00 AM.
PINK FLOYD/SYD BARRETT INTEREST - THE ORIGINAL PAINTED WOODEN FLOORBOARDS FROM MADCAP LAUGHS ALBUM COVER.
An incredible chance to own the painted orange and blue wooden floor, famously depicted on the cover of Syd Barrett's seminal solo LP 'The Madcap Laughs' (1970). The vendor purchased the flat in London used by Syd for the album cover shoot and removed the boards during renovations. Approx 70 planks in total, most in 3m lengths. Please contact us for transportation options.
Estimate
£5,000 - £10,000
Buyer's premium: 28.80% inc VAT
This article will be updated after the auction has taken place
or when more information is available.
Update 2024 07 02
As confirmed on X, and later on the Omega Auctions website, the floorboards have been sold for a whopping £28,500 (approx. €33,645 or $36,142). This is without the added fees and taxes of 28.80% inc VAT. An amendment was made in the goods description as the planks are roughly around 270 cm instead of 300 cm.
Auction Result
Update 2024 08 25: The Piper
It was rumoured some weeks ago, but it has now been confirmed in an article of the Sussex Express. written by Andy Hemsley.
The new owners of the boards are a consortium of Syd fans who pooled their own resources to rescue this unique piece of rock memorabilia. Rather than being whisked overseas or hidden in a private collection, the colourful planks are set to be loaned to and displayed at The Piper, a south coast grass roots music venue in St Leonards, Hastings, named after the 1967 debut album by Pink Floyd, ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’.
The complete article can be found here: Unique piece of Pink Floyd memorabilia to go on show at Sussex pub.
Some pictures
Some Extra Pictures
The Church wishes to thank: Beata Kruczkowska, Duggie Fields, Gretta Barclay, Iggy Rose, Jenny Fabian, Jenny Spires, Libby Gausden, Malcolm Jones, Mick Rock, Omega Auctions, Pink Floyd Collectors, Richard Blank, Rob Chapman, Stephanie Hawkins and all those we might have forgotten.
Wooden Floor Pictures by Mick Rock, The Piper and Omega Auctions. Indoor The Piper photography: Beata Kruczkowska.
Previous articles about Syd's floor can be found at:
2010: The
Case of the Painted Floorboards
2012: The
Case of the Painted Floorboards (v 2.012)
♥ Libby ♥ Iggy ♥
