The Groninger Museum raised 23,320 euros with the auction of eighteen objects from the Rolling Stones exhibition Unzipped. The absolute highlight is the illuminated Stones logo with the tongue that stands in front of the museum.
Museum director Andreas Blühm is a satisfied man. The yield exceeds his expectations. “I thought that tongue would go away,” he says a few minutes after the auction ended. “That has also become the highest price.” A fan or collector ultimately paid 9,100 euros for the illuminated logo.
‘One less thing to worry about’
Another hit is a replica of the apartment at 102 Edith Grove in London. In their early years Mick Jagger and Brian Jones lived in the flat. Keith Richards followed shortly afterwards. The replica of the apartment is basically a big mess. Blühm is happy that it has been sold.
“That’s one less thing to worry about,” he laughs. Groningen is the last city where the Unzipped exhibition is on display. The Stones’ management did not need to return a number of objects. That is why the museum decided to auction them.
Most bids for gold record
A gold record for the album Hackney Diamonds was the most popular object. No fewer than 37 bids ultimately determined the price at 3,200 euros. “That is something unique,” says Blühm. “But I have been surprised by flags that sell for 400 euros. On the other hand: if even wristbands from the opening made money on Marktplaats…
Two pieces didn’t go away: large photos of Stones fans. “I understand that,” says Blühm. What is he going to do with that? “No idea. Maybe one of the employees wants them, then we can raffle them off.”