What do Sweden, Brighton and the Kenn Road Auction Centre have in common? Until Clevedon’s most recent Interiors auction on Thursday May 2nd, the answer to that question was absolutely nothing. That changed, however, with the appearance of a framed platinum disc of “Waterloo” by Swedish supergroup Abba.
As all Eurovision fans know, this was the song that won the 1974 Song Contest held that year in Brighton and which set the band on the road to worldwide domination. 2024 sees the 50th anniversary of that momentous event and a slew of retrospective documentaries and events have catapulted the band back into the headlines. All in all, a propitious time to sell Abba related memorabilia. This particular disc was issued in recognition of the 750,000th sale of their Eurovision winner and first UK hit single. Arriving at one of Clevedon’s ever-popular Monday valuations, it had spent most of its recent history in a carrier bag and was being sold to make more space. The focus of much pre-sale interest, it came to auction almost exactly fifty years after Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn and Anni-Frid took to the Eurovision stage in their glitter, sequins and platform boots. Auctioneer Marc Burridge, who eschewed the glitter and sequins (but not the boots), then oversaw a battle of Waterloo sized proportions between two bidders who were willing to take a chance, which eventually saw the winner take it all, for the extraordinary sum of £1,800. This impressive result might lead some to exclaim ‘Mamma Mia!’ but to which we can only say ‘Thank you for the Music’.
Abba’s 1990s revival was spearheaded by their retrospective album ‘Gold’ and it was gold that accounted for many of the sale’s other best performing lots. Leading the way, a Alderney Elizabeth II New Gothic crown gold coin, 2021, in presentation box which scooped the day’s top price of £2,800. Also performing well, ten George V gold half sovereigns which sold for £1,750, whilst a Royal Mint Elizabeth II Britannia three-coin gold proof set sold for £1,350. An engraved circular locket, with a belcher link chain, both stamped '750', sold for £1,200. Away from precious metals, it was a longcase clock that proved to be one of the sale’s stars. A George III oak and mahogany-cased 8-day brass dial longcase clock, by Seddon and Moss of Frodsham was the focus of some spirited bidding which saw it sell for £620. A large group of dinner and tea wares in that perennial favourite, Royal Albert’s Old Country Roses pattern, did remarkably well selling for £550.
All in all, a fast-paced sale which saw many lots exceed expectations, resulting in a record breaking sale total. The next few week look set to be equally busy, with a Valuation Day at Stoke Lodge, Bristol on May 14th together with another Interiors sale on May 23rd. Entries remain open for the June 13th quarterly Specialist sale until Monday 20th May.