B.B. King’s Guitar and Marilyn Monroe Photos Up for Auction in New York

A celebrity memorabilia auction in New York brought some of pop culture’s most prized possessions under the hammer – including B.B. King’s very first guitar and unseen photographs of Marilyn Monroe. Run by Guernsey’s auction house, the “Legends and Treasures” sale attracted collectors and investors worldwide. But this isn’t just an American story. The celebrity memorabilia auction market is booming in the UK too, and it’s changing how people think about investing.

What Sold at the Celebrity Memorabilia Auction

The Guernsey’s sale featured more than 100 lots spanning music, film, sport and history. The standout piece was B.B. King’s childhood acoustic guitar, given to him in 1931 by his mother’s cousin. It was expected to fetch between $600,000 and $800,000. Alongside it sat his handwritten sheet music and several stage jackets, including one worn during a performance for Pope John Paul II.

The other headline lot was a set of photographs showing a 19-year-old Marilyn Monroe before she was famous. They were taken by Army photographer David Conover, who’d been tasked by Captain Ronald Reagan with photographing young women supporting the war effort. Items connected to John F. Kennedy, Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks also featured in the celebrity memorabilia auction.

Why Celebrity Memorabilia Auctions Are Booming in the UK

The UK has become one of the biggest markets for entertainment collectibles. Propstore, based in London, held its winter 2025 live auction where 425 lots of film and television memorabilia realised a combined total of over £7.7 million. Top sellers included Boba Fett’s blaster from The Empire Strikes Back and Indiana Jones’s fedora from Temple of Doom, which sold for £365,400.

Bonhams has held three of the top 10 world records for film memorabilia sold at auction. Their sales have included The Rory Gallagher Collection (£2.54 million) and Sir Roger Moore’s Personal Collection (£1.1 million). Ewbank’s, another UK house, regularly sees strong demand for music and pop culture lots.

It’s not just high-end buyers driving the market. Many lots at these sales have no reserve price, making them accessible to casual collectors and first-time bidders alike.

How to Start Collecting Celebrity Memorabilia

You don’t need deep pockets to bid at a celebrity memorabilia auction. The collectibles market ranges from small items selling for a few pounds to multi-million-pound headline lots. Most people buy and sell through auction houses or online platforms on a DIY basis, though specialist dealers can act as agents for a fee.

The most important thing is research. Browse past auction catalogues to get a feel for what’s valuable and what isn’t. View items in person where possible, set a budget, and stick to it. Experts recommend focusing on a specific niche – whether that’s music memorabilia, film props or sports items – rather than trying to collect across too many categories.

Authenticity is everything. Forgeries are a serious problem in this market, with some estimates suggesting that up to 90% of items on unregulated online platforms are fakes. The UK Intellectual Property Office provides guidance on protecting creative works, and it’s always wise to look for a certificate of authenticity, buy from reputable auction houses, and check provenance carefully before parting with any money.

What Makes Celebrity Memorabilia Valuable

The most sought-after pieces tend to share three qualities: provenance, cultural significance and rarity. B.B. King’s first guitar ticks all three boxes. It’s documented, it’s connected to one of the most important musicians in history, and there’s only one of it.

Condition matters, but less than you might expect. A slightly worn guitar that was actually played on stage is worth more than a pristine one that sat in a warehouse. What collectors really pay for is the story behind the item and how well that story can be verified.

Cultural trends play a big role too. Items connected to 1980s and 1990s pop culture have seen sharp price increases as millennials and Gen X collectors reach their peak earning years. Pokemon cards, vintage toys and 90s band memorabilia are all trending upwards heading into 2026.

Is Celebrity Memorabilia a Good Investment?

There’s no guaranteed return with collectibles, and values can fall as well as rise. The demand for certain types of memorabilia shifts with cultural trends, economic conditions and even celebrity scandals. A scandal can tank an item’s value overnight, while a hit biopic or documentary can send prices soaring.

That said, the broader trend is positive. More investors are looking at alternative assets beyond traditional stocks and property. Celebrity memorabilia, alongside vintage watches, rare cars and fine wines, sits in that growing category. For UK buyers, the advantage is proximity to some of the world’s best auction houses and a strong domestic market.

The key to succeeding at any celebrity memorabilia auction is to buy what you love. If an item’s value drops, you still own something meaningful to you. If it rises, that’s a bonus. Treating memorabilia purely as a financial instrument is risky, but combining genuine interest with smart research can pay off.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does celebrity memorabilia cost at auction?

Prices at a celebrity memorabilia auction vary enormously. You can pick up smaller items like signed photographs or programmes for under £50, while headline lots from major celebrities regularly sell for six or seven figures. Many UK auction houses run sales with no reserve prices, meaning you can sometimes pick up interesting pieces for less than you’d expect.

Where can I buy celebrity memorabilia in the UK?

The main UK houses hosting celebrity memorabilia auction events include Bonhams, Propstore, Ewbank’s and Hansons. Online platforms like eBay also carry memorabilia, but authentication is much harder. Specialist dealers and collector fairs are another good option for browsing in person.

How do I know if celebrity memorabilia is genuine?

Always buy from reputable sources and look for a certificate of authenticity. Check the item’s provenance – its documented history of ownership. Reputable auction houses like Bonhams and Propstore have teams of specialists who verify items before they go to sale. If a deal looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is.