An unparalleled opportunity awaits collectors and enthusiasts as the world’s largest private autograph collection is set to be auctioned. The Clive Bullimore Autograph Collection, a remarkable assembly of around 60,000 celebrity signatures, has been painstakingly curated over more than seven decades by a former stockbroker from Hoddesdon. This extensive collection, which offers a vivid glimpse into 20th-century pop culture, is expected to garner over £100,000 at the upcoming auction at Sworders in Stansted Mountfitchet, scheduled from June 16 to 25.
Clive Bullimore began his autograph collecting adventure at the age of 17 in the early 1950s. His passion was fueled by his weekly routine: commuting from Hoddesdon to the London Stock Exchange on weekdays and returning to the city on Saturdays to frequent hotels, theatres, record stores, and TV studios in search of celebrities. Bullimore often relied on press tips and exchanged information with fellow autograph seekers, sometimes leaving his success to chance at the BBC studios. For Hollywood stars who seldom visited the UK, he would send letters with stamped addressed envelopes requesting signed photographs or personal notes.
Even after retiring in 1992, Bullimore continued to expand his collection, adapting to the digital age by utilizing the internet while still traveling to meet public figures in person. His dedication saw him through thousands of face-to-face meetings with actors, musicians, sports figures, politicians, and other notable personalities. The onset of the Covid lockdown found him in the capital, after which he returned home and spent two years organizing his vast collection for sale.
The collection, comprising over 100,000 autographs from around 60,000 individuals, will be presented in 600 lots across three categories. Among these are approximately 100 lots of individual autograph albums, each containing a diverse array of signatures. These albums, featuring names like Jack Bruce, Nick Rhodes, Slash, Robin Gibb, and Suggs, are expected to fetch between £200 and £300 each. Other highlights include a 62-page album with signatures from Elaine Paige, Colin Firth, Yoko Ono, Meat Loaf, and Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Noteworthy Highlights
For science-fiction enthusiasts, the collection offers autographed photos from 13 Star Trek cast members, 47 signatures from Dr Who actors, and 33 from the Star Wars franchise, estimated to bring £400 to £600. A set of signed photos and flyers from James Bond actors, including Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, and Pierce Brosnan, is guided at £400 to £800. Bullimore fondly recalls Moore as one of the most pleasant celebrities he encountered, with a particularly appealing lot featuring seven postcards, each signed by Moore for his Bond films.
Among the photographs, nearly half were captured by Bullimore himself. A collection of 71 photos of female musicians, including Nana Mouskouri, Dolly Parton, Linda McCartney, Diana Ross, and Dame Vera Lynn, is expected to sell for £400 to £600. The sporting section boasts three George Best autographs and signatures from most of the 1966 World Cup-winning team.
Unique Memorabilia
The collection also includes 68 lots of vinyl records signed by the artists, with a copy of “Let It Bleed” by The Rolling Stones, signed by Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, and Ronnie Wood, valued at £200 to £400. A collection of 40 video cassettes, records, and CDs by the Spice Girls, signed by one or more members, is estimated at £300 to £600. Bullimore’s encounters with Amy Winehouse are captured in a card inscribed with personal messages and a signed single, priced at £200 to £400.
For Bullimore, the thrill of the chase and the relationships formed through collecting were more significant than the monetary value of the autographs. Despite the extensive nature of his collection, he never sold any autographs, though he often traded duplicates with fellow collectors. While he regrets not acquiring signatures from Marlon Brando or Madonna, his family has chosen to retain a few cherished pieces, including a Muhammad Ali signed book kept by his grandson.
