A woman who made headlines around the world when she sold a loving note penned to her by rock legend Jimi Hendrix has found another item he gave her – by pure chance.
Anthea Connell, 69, from West Bridgford, Nottingham, was swept into a media whirlwind last October when she decided to sell the autographed note from the rock legend. It soared to £5,700 at Derbyshire’s Hansons Auctioneers from an estimate of £2,000-£3,000.
The mother-of-two, now retired from her job in Student Support Services at Nottingham Trent University, was thrust into the limelight with TV, radio, newspapers and magazines keen to feature her both in the UK and around the globe. Her story appeared on more than 120 websites.
Back in 1967, Hendrix was so bewitched by the 19-year-old at The Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, he leapt off stage, started talking to her and wrote on the back of a guitar strings packet: ‘To Anthea. Love and kisses to you forever. I wish I could really talk to you. Stay sweet. Jimi Hendrix’.
Mrs Connell thought her Hendrix moment-of-fame was all over but, a few weeks ago, she randomly came across another guitar strings packet given to her by the rock legend.
She said: “I was filing all the newspaper cuttings about the autograph sale and came across some correspondence relating to my appearance on TV’s Find A Fortune in 2001, when the Hendrix autograph was first authenticated. The spare guitar strings packet was tucked in with it.
“I’d completely forgotten about it. When Jimi was talking to me, he asked a band member to bring him something to sign. Someone came over with a couple of guitar strings packets. Jimi signed one but gave them both to me. I never thought anything of it. The packet is almost a twin to the one he autographed.
The Jimi Hendrix guitar strings packet has now been entered into Hansons Auctioneers’ March 14 Music auction with an estimate of £100-£150.
Mrs Connell said: “I did wonder, is it worth anything, shall I sell it?But I know there are lots of huge Hendrix fans out there who would love to own something that belonged to him.”
Claire Howell, Hansons’ music valuer, said: “Random items that belonged to stars do occasionally come up for auction, things like plectrums, drum skins or even a knob off a guitar. We sold a matchbox signed by footballer George Best once.
“Stars used to just grab anything they could find to write on, which isn’t the case anymore. In fact, some are reluctant to sign autographs in case the people who ask for them are not genuine fans.
“The guitar string packet is unusual but because of the great provenance we have thanks to Anthea’s story, I am sure a Hendrix fan would like to buy it.”
Among other star lots in Hansons’ March 14 Music Auction, is a framed and authenticated Jimi Hendrix autograph, estimate £2,000-£3,000, and rock band Led Zeppelin’s autographs, estimate £2,500-£3,000.
Claire said: “Jimi Hendrix autographs and memorabilia are rare because he died young, aged 27 in 1970. Some of the most sought after musical autographs belong to people who died young. They call it the 27 club because, as well as Hendrix, Jim Morrison of The Doors, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse all died at the age of 27.”
The Jim Hendrix guitar string packet will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, on March 14.To find out more, call 01283 733988 or email [email protected].
