"Bares for Rares Lacks Documentation"
Doin' the Hustle with 'Bares für Rares'
Looks like a simple autograph note from an old school exchange program changed the fortunes of a regular chick, Mechthild, on ZDF's antiques show "Bares für Rares."
This note, thought to be genuine rarities by the seller, caught the attention of Horst Lichter. But Lichter suspected something fishy and grilled expert Annika Raßbach, who wondered if Mechthild had doodled the note herself.
Mechthild, though, had a wild story to share. In '64, while she was exchanging schools in Manchester, she noticed none other than the Rolling Stones strutting across the runway at Heathrow. With a notebook in hand, a pal snagged the Stones' autographs. A fan of the band, Mechthild received these precious signatures as a gift.
The Rolling Stones on 'Bares für Rares': A Legendary Lineup
The Rolling Stones had just formed in '62, but they were starting to boom by '64, with their first hit "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" releasing in '65. The note signed by the original lineup - Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman - became quite the sensation.
Initially, Mechthild had scribbled the names of the band members beneath their signatures, but that wasn't the concerning part. Raßbach was troubled by the signature of Brian Jones, who unfortunately passed away in '69. "There aren't many of his autographs," Raßbach pointed out.
Brian Jones' Autograph: A Problem Child
Raßbach identified the typical signature of Charlie Watts, who would always sign with "Love, Charlie." This left one member unaccounted for, and a fake label appeared on the note.
"Can be erased," Lichter offered consolation, but Raßbach nearly fainted at the idea. Mechthild, too, felt the weight of it, confessing, "I believed for 60 years that it was Brian Jones."
Despite the dilemma, Mechthild still hoped to fetch 500 euros for her Rolling Stones fan article. Raßbach valued the paper at 600 to 1,000 euros, stating, "We're in the collector's realm." The seller found solace in that appraisal, and even Lichter hinted, "There's only one of these on Earth."
"I don't know what possessed me 60 years ago to write those names underneath," the seller cracked as she entered the dealer's room. At first, the names went unnoticed, but after Mechthild's story, dealer Wolfgang Pauritsch exclaimed, "Brian Jones is missing?"
Even without Brian Jones, Rolling Stones aficionados among the dealers bid rapidly, surpassing the lowest expert estimate. Pauritsch and Julian Schmitz-Avila were locked in a bidding war, with Pauritsch eventually conceding when Schmitz-Avila shared his father's passion for the band. Schmitz-Avila secured the item for 1,200 euros.
Life Lesson
Selling autographed memorabilia? Always, always make sure they're the real deal, folks. You wouldn't want the tragic tale of our dear Mechthild to unfold again.
Bonus Bits
- Retiree Vanessa's Non-Retirement: At 85, Vanessa still has to work due to a lack of pension funds. She wonders, "What will it be like when I can't anymore?"
- Bad News for the Dutch: King Willem-Alexander called off his state visit, and Queen Máxima will take over instead.
- Still a Virgin? Daniela from "Germany's Next Topmodel" caused a stir when she suggested contestants were still virgins, sparking headlines and controversy.
- Frank Rosin's Innkeeper Drama: The restaurateur addressed a tavern keeper about their appearance, leading to an emotional reaction from the innkeeper.
- The Rolling Stones' autograph note from 1964, despite the controversy surrounding Brian Jones' signature, was still valuable in the realm of pop-culture and entertainment collectibles.
- Despite the revelation that the Brian Jones signature on her Rolling Stones memorabilia might be a forgery, the seller still held onto hopes of entertainment industry celebrities appreciating its value.
