Lock of David Bowie’s Hair Sells for Record $18,750 at Heritage Auctions

Snipped in 1983 by the wig mistress at Madame Tussauds in London, lock sets record for Bowie hair in Beverly Hills

BEVERLY HILLS — A small snippet of David Bowie's pale blonde hair sold for $18,750 June 25, 2016 at a public auction of Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Signature® Auction held by Heritage Auctions. The top bid for the lock — clipped in 1983 by the wig mistress at Madame Tussauds in London and tied together with blue thread — is a record price for any piece of hair once belonging to the award-winning artist.

The hair was auctioned affixed to a black and white photograph depicting Bowie standing next to the consignor, Wendy Farrier of Wales, England. Bowie's ever-changing hair color happened to be blond at the time his likeness was cast for the famous wax museum exhibit. Being a huge Bowie fan, after Farrier snipped the chunk of his hair — so its color could be duplicated for the wax figure's wig — she kept it for a souvenir. It was expected to sell for just $4,000.

"David Bowie changed music forever and fans are hungry for related precious objects that bring them closer to their favorite musician," said Margaret Barrett, Director of Entertainment and Music Auctions at Heritage, "What brings you closer than a lock of hair?"

A portion of the proceeds of the sale will benefit the Soi Dog Foundation, a charity based in Phuket, Thailand, which rescues and cares for thousands of dogs every year. Please go to soidog.org for more information. Bowie died Jan. 10, 2016 from liver cancer at age 69.

The auction also featured an extraordinary lot related to the death of musician John Lennon: The blood-stained dress shirt worn by the Dakota Hotel employee who attended to the assassinated star the night he was shot sold for $42,500, more than eight times its pre-auction estimate. A rare Concert Poster of Billie Holiday from 1941 – believed to be the only in existence – sold for an astounding $35,000, seven times above its estimate.



Hi-Res images available:
Eric Bradley, Public Relations Associate
214-409-1871; EricB@HA.com