Denise Kelly

Head of Department - Entertainment & Popular Culture

Denise has a background firmly rooted within the entertainment world, having previously worked in the film industry for over 30 years. From the moment she first set foot in her local auction house, Denise was hooked on auctions, and loves discovering all about the history behind the items.

Denise is passionate about helping to secure the highest possible prices for those clients looking to sell any entertainment memorabilia.

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Why are you working within the auction world?

I started working in the auction world completely by accident as I’d been working in the film industry for 30 years and changing my career had not been on my ‘To Do’ list.

One random day prior to moving house, I decided to take some of my film and memorabilia into our local auction house for a valuation and could soon tell by the look on the book specialist’s face that Entertainment and Memorabilia items were at that time still a bit of a mystery within the auction world. However, as we both got on like a house on fire, I offered to come in the following day to help catalogue my items. From that day on I was hooked and knew I wanted to join the auction world, so I offered to work three-days a week (free of charge) in the Books and Ephemera Department and went on become a Books specialist and expanded the Entertainment, Posters, and Photography, Department. And yes, I was paid a salary.

Within your career to date, which item would you class as your favourite?

That is such a hard question, as every item becomes a favourite as soon as I see it. I will have to choose two memorable favourites, and that has proven extremely difficult…

Firstly, Dame Edith Sitwell’s personal address book, part of The Sitwell Weston Hall Collection, was a joy to catalogue and sold for £54,000. Every page was filled with names and addresses of everyone who was anyone within the art, music, and literary world of the day. Dame Edith, a talented colourful character, had added her own amusing notes throughout and whilst I was cataloguing it, if I closed my eyes, I was instantly transported back in time and could hear her chatting over cocktails to Cecil Beaton, Jean Cocteau, Evelyn Waugh, and others.

Another favourite was an original artwork attributed to Stuart Sutcliffe, personally gifted to the vendor’s father, Bernard Clark, by John Lennon. The painting had previously hung on the wall in the early 1960s at ‘Kenwood’, John Lennon’s Weybridge home. Bernard and his wife became friends of John and Cynthia Lennon and were regular visitors to ‘Kenwood’. On one occasion Bernard arrived to find John Lennon angrily trying to rip up the painting and managed to prevent him from destroying it completely. Lennon gave him the artwork that day which went on to sell for £19,500 even though it had been repaired in several places and had suffered quite extensive loss. Thank goodness Bernard had shared the story with his son, or we would never have known the wonderful provenance.

What first attracted you to your speciality?

My passion for film, music, photography, literature, history, and anything arts related. It was a natural ‘duck to water’ moment for me to become an Entertainment and Memorabilia Specialist. My film career has proved invaluable and given me experience and a wealth of knowledge ‘from script to screen’. I have been so lucky to have worked in Hollywood, Pinewood, Shepperton, Elstree, Bray, and Twickenham Studios and on film locations all over the world. Thanks to my large theatrical family of film composers, screen writers, producers, film editors and ballet dancers, even just sitting around the dinner table means my learning never ends. Entertainment isn’t just a job for me, it’s always been a way of life.

I am captivated by the art of storytelling through any medium and love working in a job where listening to stories, discovering stories, and sharing stories is something I get to do, all day and every day.

A 1960s Rolling Stones Promotional Poster

Sold for £30,000

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What aspect of your career do you find most satisfying?

Meeting clients for the first time and guiding them through the process from consignment to auction is always such a pleasure. It is so rewarding when their items sell well and so satisfying knowing that the buyers will go on to love and enjoy them all over again.

"Entertainment isn’t just a job for me, it’s always been a way of life."

If money were no object, what would you most like to buy?

I think it would have to be a first edition, first print copy of Margaret Mitchell’s book ‘Gone With the Wind’, published in May 1936, either inscribed by the author to Clark Gable or Vivien Leigh. It would be the ultimate copy to own, a true piece of cinema history which would make my heart skip a beat each time I looked at it.

What should a potential collector/buyer look to purchase? Why?

Entertainment and Memorabilia covers a vast variety of items which can be very nostalgic and personal to a collector/buyer. Memorabilia often reminds us of a special time, place, or person, so buying an item that is not only an investment, but also brings back happy memories and makes you feel good, is surely only ever a positive thing to do.

Whenever possible, pay that extra money and look to purchase an original item with accompanying provenance. Look for something authentic which is a ‘one off’ and an iconic piece of cinema or music history.

What are the best items to sell via an auction house?

Original props, costumes, crew-clothing, vintage film posters (British Quads, or US One Sheets), early travel/tourism posters, music concert posters, programmes and tickets, original film scripts, autographs, James Bond memorabilia including Ian Fleming’s first edition books in dust-jackets, J.K. Rowling’s first three books in the Harry Potter series, musical instruments (with provenance) and early vinyl including The Beatles, Sex Pistols, Queen, and The Rolling Stones etc. The list goes on and on…

A Postcard Signed by The Beatles

Sold for £7,200

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What are your valuables worth?

Request a free auction estimate from our team of specialists, or contact us to book an appointment. If your item is suitable for auction, we will provide you with a valuation and further details of how to sell with us.