
Claire Tole-Moir
Head of Department
Claire Tole-Moir is Head of the Popular Culture & Science department. Based in London, she manages specialist sales for Popular Culture, Film and Music memorabilia, Instruments of Science and Technolo…
Bonhams' Popular Culture Department is a market leader in celebrity memorabilia, offering artefacts related to the 20th century's most prominent actors, musicians, and entertainers. These include vintage film and music posters, original handwritten lyrics, rare autographs, photographic archives, animation artwork, film-used props, significant musical instruments, vintage fashion, screen- and stage-worn costumes, awards, and other extraordinary items.
Among our notable single-owner sales are the collections of Sir Richard Attenborough, Charlton Heston, Lauren Bacall, Peter Green, Gary Moore, Siegfried & Roy, Dame Diana Rigg, Sir Michael Caine, Sir Roger Moore and Rory Gallagher– to name a few.
We hold three of the Top 10 world records for film memorabilia sold at auction. Bonhams held the highest world record from 2017-2024 with Robby the Robot from MGM's 'Forbidden Planet' (1956), which achieved $5.3 million.
Other notable results include (with fees):
• The piano from 'Casablanca' on which Sam plays "As Time Goes By", $3.4 million
• The Maltese Falcon statuette from the 'The Maltese Falcon', $4 million
• Bert Lahr's cowardly Lion costume from the 'Wizard of Oz', $3 million
• The Crown Auction, featuring sets, costumes and props from the Netflix Series, £1.7 million
• Judy Garland's gingham dress from the 'Wizard of Oz', $1.56 million
• The EMI TG12345 Mk IV recording console used by Pink Floyd at Abbey Road Studios, $1.7 million
• Eric Clapton's sale of Guitars and Amps in aid of the Crossroads Centre, $1.9 million
• Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection, £1.1 million
• Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, £847,000
• Alligator! Jerry Garcia's Fender Stratocaster guitar, $524,000
• The Rory Gallagher Collection, £2.54 million
Buying and Selling Entertainment Memorabilia at Bonhams
Since our founding in the late 1980s, Bonhams' Popular Culture department has demonstrated a level of dedication to this auction category that surpasses our competition. Our memorabilia attract enthusiasts and collectors from around the world, eager to own a piece of cultural history.
Our highly respected team of experts and innovative specialists in London, New York, and Los Angeles work collaboratively to present property at auction in the most effective manner. We take pride in sharing the story behind each item and in providing a tailored auction experience for both our buyers and sellers.
Contact us directly to consign an artwork or visit our Digital Selling Hub for a free auction estimate.
Thinking of selling? Get a free auction estimate by submitting your item online or contacting your local Bonhams. With specialists based in towns and cities worldwide, we are your local auction house.
Submit an itemHead of Department
Claire Tole-Moir is Head of the Popular Culture & Science department. Based in London, she manages specialist sales for Popular Culture, Film and Music memorabilia, Instruments of Science and Technolo…
Associate Specialist
Rebecca Anthony is an Associate Specialist in the Popular Culture & Science Department based in London. As a former singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist, she has a particular interest in iconic gu…
Cataloguer
Fred Lawton Bio Fred Lawton is the Cataloguer for the Popular Culture & Science Department. Based in London, his sale highlights include The Rory Gallagher Collection, The Maxi Jazz Collection and var…
Specialist Consultant, Collectors, Popular Culture
Stephen Maycock is Consultant Specialist for Bonhams. Before joining in 2004, he worked for a leading international auctioneer in London for more than 25 years and was the specialist in charge of rock…
Associate Specialist
Katie Allen is Associate Specialist for Bonhams Pop Culture in Los Angeles. She helps clients navigate the auction process from consignment to post-sale, including any questions about paperwork, payme…
Specialist Consultant Collectors, Science & Marine
In 2003, Jon joined Bonhams as Global Director of Collectors' sales and he has since been responsible for many landmark auctions and world record prices. Highlights include: the British Airways Concor…
Sale Coordinator
Theo Raidan is a Sale Coordinator for Silver & Objects of Vertu and Popular Culture & Science, based in Knightsbridge, London. Before joining Bonhams in 2024, Theo worked in an antiquarian bookstore o…
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