Heritage Auctions

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Press Release - February 3, 2006

Buddy Holly's Wristwatch, Early Recordings To Be Offered By His Widow In April Auction

Dallas, Texas: The diamond wristwatch worn by rock music pioneer Buddy Holly "the day the music died" will be offered in a public auction by his widow along with over 100 other personal items. Holly was wearing the watch on February 3, 1959, when he and singers Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed in a plane crash in Iowa.

"Buddy Holly's widow, Maria Elena, has consigned the watch, unreleased music recordings and a treasure trove of other personal items that will be offered in a sale, April 14 and 15, to let his legion of fans own a part of Holly's legacy," said Doug Norwine of Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas, Texas (www.HeritageAuctions.com), the firm that will conduct the public auction.

The diamond and white gold Omega wristwatch is inscribed on the back, "Buddy Holly 12-1-58," the date his bride of four months gave it to him as an early Christmas present. It was recovered at the site of the plane crash by investigators and later worn by Holly's father in their hometown of Lubbock, Texas.

"Fans know about the watch and I'm frequently asked about it," said Maria Elena, who married Holly on August 15, 1958, just months before the tragic accident.

"I have kept these items that were Buddy's through all these years, and I feel it is now time to share them with the fans out there," added Mrs. Holly.

Norwine said the sale will include more than twenty original acetate recordings made by Holly dating back to 1955.

"These include early demo versions of his most famous songs, 'That'll Be The Day,' 'Peggy Sue,' and 'Maybe Baby,' plus some songs previously unheard by the general public. His 1958 passport and United Kingdom work permit for his historic March 1958 concert tour in England will also be offered. That tour introduced Holly's artistry to an emerging new generation of British musicians, such as The Beatles and Rolling Stones, and his style laid the foundation for what would become known as the British Invasion."

Holly was an avid photographer and apparently planned to make a scrapbook from the many photos he took while on tour. Several dozen of his photographs, all signed or annotated by him, will be offered in the sale, including a poignant silhouette of Holly sitting next to an airplane window.

Personal wardrobe items in the auction will include Holly's suits, shirts, ties and cuff links.

For additional information, contact Heritage Auctioneers Galleries, 3500 Maple Ave., 17th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75219. Phone: (800) 872-6467. Online: www.HeritageAuctions.com.

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