The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Auction of music items proves an event of note
Bing Crosby lots a big hit with buyers as every item sells
Europe’s largest collection of Bing Crosby memorabilia was successfully sold in Montrose on Saturday.
Hundreds of records, sheet music, photo albums and posters were collected over a lifetime by the late Frank Grant.
He started his collection when he was aged 16 in 1936 and went on to meet Bing several times when the American singer came to Scotland to play in golf tournaments.
Every time they met, the White Christmas singer would dutifully sign before playing a round at the Old Course in St Andrews.
As Mr Grant’s collection expanded over the decades, his family in Nairn had to build an extension to house all the artefacts.
It was split into lots by Taylor’s Auction House in Montrose, with every item selling as part of a music sale on Saturday.
Auctioneer Robert Guthrie said: “It’s been an amazing collection for us to handle. It’s been on display in our foyer since October and people have always taken a minute to browse through it. Everybody knows Bing Crosby – he’s such an icon.
“Interest in the auction was mostly within Britain. We did initially think we’d get some interest from the States but there was nothing sold outwith Britain.”
Among the most popular items were photograph albums carefully compiled by Mr Grant, which included signed pictures and newspaper cuttings.
“There were more than 10 albums and they sold for between £30 and £50 each,” Mr Guthrie said.
“Another interesting item was a photograph showing Bing signing the confirmation sheet for a grand, celebrity charity golf match at Gleneagles in 1976. That sold for £40. We were pleased absolutely everything sold. It’s certainly one of the most interesting auctions we’ve had recently.”
The music sale as a whole raised just