Dawsons' Auctions Results: "Entertainment & Memorabilia, including Vintage Posters" - Morrissey / The Smiths historical documents (March 12, 2025)

To include a Godin electro-acoustic guitar signed and stage-used by Leonard Cohen, an original Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) production made cast resin (plastic) wand, signed Beatles memorabilia, a Walt Disney autographed reproduction of an original Cinderella colour animation cel drawing, a scarce Original Production made Wallace & Gromit puppet, rare memorabilia from 'The Smiths', original film props as screen-used in 'Tomb Raider', ‘Phantom of the Opera’ ‘Angels and Demons’, Marvel Studios’ ‘Thor’, a signed Bob Dylan album, a Mick Jagger inscribed book, Vivienne Westwood T-shirts, and much more.

A rather mammoth amount of historical documents and ephemera via Mike Hinc's family and estate.
Several pages of information and images.
Regards,
FWD.

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Lot 3.

The Smiths: A collection of five postcards, two written by Morrissey to Mike Hinc, the first undated but believed to be September 1984, the front featuring a black and white photograph of The Marvelettes, reading 'Dear Michael, Thoughts on Cardiff: No toilets (except public one)!! Dressing room 300 degrees below freezing point!! Stage laughably small, heavies mid-barrier were ultra heavy with happy fan. Crowd were great. ART WORK (given to Outlaw by ATB) was 3 records old!!!! - Will accept your decision on Belfast & Dublin venues - tickets aren't too expensive, I presume - thanks to Martin for coming to Gloucester. Please compile Feb-Mar venues. Love, your pets, The Smiths'.

The second card, featuring a picture of Morrissey himself, and dated April 28th 1985, reads 'Mike, Can we tie in an Italian date with the Spanish jaunt? Yet still to England on planned date? Can we ditch Barcelona and do Rome? Or one important Spanish date and two Italian? Any idea how London Records found my address? Love, M'.

The remaining cards feature bass guitarist Andy Rourke apparently practising his signature (on the reverse of a Smiths promotional postcard), a further card with the same image, with a typed message (probably by Morrissey, to Mike Hinc), reading 'These four beautiful boys would like to do SOME GIGS (but NOT the Upper Volta). We feel a grand passion for Ireland. Nine gigs? But we don't want to LOSE MONEY. Nine gigs? Our future support must be JAMES from FACTORY (please contact them when necessary)...Nine gigs (three rows of three). Remember, we are Rough Trade Artists.' There is blur crayon across the card, similar to that used to sign other letters written to Mike Hinc from Morrissey, as featured elsewhere in this sale.

The final card, featuring a black and white portrait of Morrissey, is from an unknown sender, to 'Hilary', who worked with Mike Hinc at All Trade Booking, and reads 'Hilary, I need a copy of US tour inv (359?). Are Ross Bennet Smith having this paid from US? Can your travel agent get me info on QE2 to US. And sea routes to Japan?? (P'haps from US). Please call me, [?]', the card with a postmark dated 13th September 1985.

Provenance:

From the personal collection of the late Mike Hinc, former booking agent at Rough Trade for Morrissey, The Smiths and others. The lot forms part of an extensive archive of related items on this sale, consigned by the family of Mike Hinc.


Sold for £2,400

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Related item:

• Dawson's Auctions: Mike Hinc Morrissey Letters from 1984 (February 13, 2025)

 

[Famous when dead]

Lot 88.

The Smiths: an original contract for the band's proposed live performance at U4 Club, Vienna (Austria), on Thursday 26th April 1984, signed by Morrissey, confirming the agreement between All Trade Booking, The Smiths and the promoter, dated 2nd April 1984. The extensive agreement includes financial arrangements, such as 'The Performer shall receive a guaranteed fee of £1000 + PA + Lights, + Rider + Hotel Costs for two nights. The above fee to be net of all deductions, taxes etc, unless otherwise previously agreed in writing; the fee is to be paid in cash before the Performer goes onstage', 'From the total fee £500 shall be paid by telex in advance to our bank account', and 'The Promoter shall book and pay for in addition to the fee the following hotel rooms in a 4 Star class hotel: 5 singles, 2 twins (Total 9 persons)'. It goes on to outline the requirements for stage dimensions and layout, the dressing room arrangements, stage crew needs and PA details. The band's Rider includes: 'Tea, sandwiches, 2 litres of our orange juice, and 2 litres of cold, fresh milk on the arrival of the PA crew at the venue, tea on arrival of the band at the venue, good quality hot meals for 10 people (2 vegetarian). NO FAST FOOD OR JUNK FOOD. 3 x 75cl bottles of Soave D.O.C., 3 x 75cl bottles of Beaujolais A.C., 18 large cans of German Pilsner lager, 4 x litres of pure orange juice, 2 x litres of Perrier mineral water, 40 Silk Cut (or any mild brand, NOT USA) cigarettes, A good and varied selection of fresh fruit. A selection of flowers to the approximate value of £50 sterling, including gladioli, (no roses or flowers with thorns please)'. As well as a diagram of the requested stage layout, there is a list of names given for hotel room bookings, comprising the four band members, tour manager Phil Cowie and various crew. Morrisey's distinctive signature is at the foot of the first page, together with that of the promoter.
NB: It is apparent that this event didn't take place, for reasons unknown.

Sold for £650

 

[Famous when dead]

Lot 89.

Morrissey / The Smiths: A collection of items relating to Morrissey's live concert tours in the early 1990s, to include a part itinerary for the 'Your Arsenal' tour of Winter 1992, a 'Technical Manual' from the same tour, details of his required rider, items relating to his Finsbury Park appearance (with Madness) in 1992, together with an original crew tour 'Harrington' style jacket, sized large and unused, embroidered 'Morrissey World Tour 1991'.

Sold for £550

 

[Famous when dead]

Lot 93.

The Smiths: A collection of original ephemera, to include two pieces with a Morrissey signature, relating to the live booking arrangements for the band's 1985 UK & Ireland tour, comprising a copy of a typed letter from Mike Hinc of All Trade Booking, to Morrissey, dated 14th October 1984), in which he provides a sample of the proposed rider for the tour, and says 'I was glad to hear that you enjoyed the Welsh sortie, to the extent that you are now contemplating as many as 35 dates in Feb/March throughout the UK. As agreed, I will organise these on a 3 on - 1 off basis, but would also strongly advise you to take a substantial rest period both before and after going on the road - as a matter of working necessity. I will keep in close touch with you as the booking of this tour progresses - please remember to give me your new phone number as and when you move back to Manchester. Don't hesitate to contact us should you feel the slightest pang of worry or doubt with regard to any of your forthcoming live work - and don't try to push yourself harder than your constitution will allow! We were glad at last to discover the real reason behind your former reluctance to work abroad - this is something major for you, and serious - and I think until we can find some kind of answer for the problem, you shouldn't be subjected to the kind of real street which travelling by air places you under. The world can wait! As ever, wildely [sic] yours...'.

Morrissey then replied on 16th October, with a typed letter, signed with large text in blue crayon, reading 'Dear Mike, I return the rider as requested. All seems perfect to me, but John Featherstone and Oz will have the final say on stage size, so please wait for their comments. Please arrange all dates as soon as possible. Make note of these personal requirements:' [He goes on to suggest a preferred outline of locations and venues]. 'Please etch all venues with dates as soon as possible, and let copies be sent to Oz, John Featherstone, Scott and Stuart, and myself. I shall be contactable at [address in Hale Barns, Cheshire] ...until directly prior to the Irish tour. My new number here in London is.... But more importantly than all of this, I am simply happy to see the supply of Lucozade on the rider has remained sufficient. Ever, Morrissey'.

A further typed letter from Morrissey to Mike Hinc, also hand-signed and dated January 20th 1985, reads: 'Dear Mike, I should let you know that there is no enthusiasm from anyone here to add another date to the tour. Certainly, Preston and Coventry are quite attractive, and would have initially been appreciated in place of Poole and Margate. However, it's too late now. It would be interesting to know any details on the Opera House in Manchester, for use perhaps on the Scottish stretch. Concerning overseas work, I must say that until we find a manager, we are unlikely to set foot outside this country. On the matter of the P.A. I remain manically distraught, but feel that this situation should not be allowed to occur. It does seem unfair that, at such a late stage, the matter seems entirely in my hands. What concerns me now is advertising. The Manchester date has had no presence whatsoever. It is as if the thing isn't really happening. I want people who don't know The Smiths, and people who hate The Smiths, to be aware of what we're doing. Please do something about posters (especially in Manchester). Whether the promoter thinks it unnecessary from the gig's point of view is not really the issue: it's important from The Smiths' point of view. Thanks for all the info on Friday. and for help in other ways. Best regards, Morrissey'.

This final letter also has the words 'How Soon is Now' written to the bottom right corner, although not, apparently, in Morrissey's own hand.

Sold for £950

 

[Famous when dead]

Lot 94.

The Smiths: An interesting collection of original ephemera, to include a letter written to Morrissey from a fan, who was wheelchair-bound and concerned about being able to get into the venue in Glasgow for a concert there on 16th July 1986, asking if he would put in a good word for me'. The letter features a handwritten note from Morrissey to the foot, addressed to Mike Hinc (booking agent): 'Mike - can you help in any way? Morrissey'. Also included are letters written to Mike Hinc from promoters, hotel booking requests for the band, from All Trade Booking, a letter from 'Merseyside Trade Union, asking if The Smiths would play live at a fundraising concert in Liverpool (September 1985), a request from Oxfam asking them to perform at the NEC in Birmingham, a collection of items relating to Scotland concert dates, a proposed list of 1986 UK tour dates, a hand-written letter from Stuart James to Hilary at All Trade Booking, detailing rider detail requests, printed riders for European dates, proposed dates for 1985 gigs in Italy, and two Smiths commemorative magazines, one Melody Maker and one NME.

Sold for £1,700

 

[Rufusindigo]

Lot 89.

Morrissey / The Smiths: A collection of items relating to Morrissey's live concert tours in the early 1990s, to include a part itinerary for the 'Your Arsenal' tour of Winter 1992, a 'Technical Manual' from the same tour, details of his required rider, items relating to his Finsbury Park appearance (with Madness) in 1992, together with an original crew tour 'Harrington' style jacket, sized large and unused, embroidered 'Morrissey World Tour 1991'.

Sold for £550

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That fax relating to the plans for Finsbury Park seems really poignant and sad in hindsight....

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Thanks @Famous when dead !

 

[eugenius]

There's some fascinating (and revealing) reading in these old faxes and letters.

 

[gordyboy9]

how did london records get his address,like the way M coloured in andy to give him a blue moustache and blue hair.
these are always a fascinating read but these things take time as theres so many of them.

 

[Redacted]

So, Morrissey asked for James to open and has signed contracts with ticket prices on them. Amazing for someone who does not know who James is or never liked them and never knows anything about ticket prices.

 

[Dorothy]

Thanks for this. I love this kind of thing - it's going to be fascinating to read though all this.

 

[Billy A]

Thanks for this. I love this kind of thing - it's going to be fascinating to read though all this.

Agreed. Some of Moz's replies had me giggling like a mischievous gran.

 

[Anonymous]

I could be reading this wrong, but going from one of those letters/faxes it appears that the original proposition was for both Morrissey and Marr to receive the Ivor Novello award together?

 

[Famous when dead]

https://dawsons.blob.core.windows.net/main/catalogue (1).pdf

Auction catalogue - less images, but has estimates.
Won't be adding those in here.
Regards,
FWD.

 

[Seymour Glass]

Let's talk about that Harry Potter wand!

 

[Bulbous Salutation]

Incredible thread. Thank you FWD.

 

[nothing to declare]

Thank you, FWD! Wonderful!
'I want people who don't know The Smiths, and people who hate The Smiths, to be aware of what we're doing'

 

[Anonymous]

Incredible thread. Thank you FWD.

Agreed. It needed preserving for posterity and beyond! Many thanks!

 

[ACTON]

Fair dues to FWD for posting all this stuff.

 

[Eyebrows]

"I have an insatiable biological need for a small tree" is going into my regular vocabulary.

 

[Sepe]

Wow! These are really interesting. They give a glimpse to the music industry comings & goings - and the painful & meticulous planning that goes into organising tours. Organising a tour must be a LOT of work.