Paul Fraser Launches Online Auction Firm With May 24 Collectibles Sale The sale includes a blockbuster lineup of unique, investment-grade collectibles.
News-Antique.com - May 12,2012 - GUERNSEY, Channel Islands – Britain’s Paul Fraser has built a stellar international reputation from the sale of blue-chip collectibles, rare stamps, antiques and pop-culture memorabilia. His insightful, always entertaining newsletters are read religiously by investors and often quoted by the media in their quirky “we leave you with this” stories on TV or in print. Now Paul Fraser has stepped into the auction arena with the launch of PFC Auctions, whose debut online auction closing May 24 features a blockbuster lineup of unique, investment-grade collectibles.
A trusted source for 35+ years to collectors in 214 countries, Fraser has brokered numerous high-profile transactions, such as the sale of John Lennon’s stamp album to the Smithsonian, and a deal with the Royal Philatelic Collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As PFC’s May 24 auction roster attests, Fraser gives the people what they want: entertainment, sports and autographed celebrity memorabilia; royalty items, space and aviation relics, as well as the offbeat and unexpected. “Anything unique with an interesting story and great provenance will sell well,” Fraser said.
With the recent first wedding anniversary of Prince William and Princess Catherine, Fraser expects strong interest in Lot 125, a slice of wedding cake from the royal couple’s 2011 wedding. Held in a presentation tin, the distinguished dessert is accompanied by a printed “compliments” slip from TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, as well as a 16-page Order of Service from Westminster Abbey.
Princess Diana’s enduring appeal has already prompted aggressive bidding on Lot 124, a collection of record albums that belonged to the princess-to-be while she was still a young Lady Diana Spencer. Each album cover was personally signed by Diana, in some cases more than once.
Yet another of the sale’s royal highlights is Lot 128, a family-photo Christmas card of Prince Charles, Princess Diana, the young Princes William and Harry, and their pet dog. The card is personally inscribed by Prince Charles and signed by both Charles and Diana.
Fraser feels confident that a US buyer will end up with Lot 133, an American Flag autographed respectfully on verso by three legendary astronauts: Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell and Gene Cernan. The astronaut trio signed the flag during a NATO-sponsored visit to Afghanistan in 2011.
“This flag is a superb display piece with an exceptional set of autographs from the first and last men to set foot on the moon (Armstrong and Cernan) and the first man to orbit the moon (Lovell),” Fraser said. Autographs are continuing to appreciate in the marketplace, Fraser noted. “We’re witnessing full sets of Apollo 11 signatures increase in value by 15% per annum,” he said.
Impeccable provenance accompanies both Lot 90, a Fender Duo-Sonic guitar once owned by John Lennon; and Lot 98, Lennon’s black leather suitcase. Sold previously in a Christie’s auction (1996), the suitcase came directly from the collection of Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia.
“The King” is represented in the sale by Lot 87, a circa-1958 Alden copper and bronze-finish electric
