Willy Wonka Golden Ticket sweet success

An original, production-made golden ticket from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory sold for £52,000, against an estimate of £15,000-20,000 in Bonhams’ recent Rock, Pop & Film Sale in London.

The rare golden ticket was gifted to the vendor in the late 1970s by a family friend who had been working in the film industry in LA during this time. Film director Mel Stuart kept tight controls on the prop golden tickets produced for the film and as such they rarely appear on the market, almost all known examples have been from past cast members.

Elsewhere in the sale, an early handwritten questionnaire completed by Taylor Swift for MIZZ magazine sold for £14,200. In August 2009, the vendor who was working for MIZZ Magazine as a features writer met Taylor Swift and her mother in London at her hotel. The vendor asked her to sign her copy of MIZZ Magazine which had Taylor on the front cover. She also asked her to fill in the questionnaire for a future issue. One question regarding ‘Who would Taylor rather kiss’ has been crossed out in black ink by the pop star’s mother having reviewed the questions ahead of their meeting.

An autographed bowler hat owned by screen legend Stan Laurel sold for £12,800 against an estimate of £10,000-15,000. The bowler hat was such a key part of Laurel’s signature look, and highly present in his comic routines with Oliver Hardy. This particular hat was gifted to stage doorman Harry Brown, during Laurel & Hardy’s 1947 stage tour of the UK. Laurel signed it and added ‘Thanks Harry!’ to the inside.

Handwritten lyrics by Radiohead’s lead singer Thom York to the song No Surprises for the band’s OK Computer album sold for £11,520 against an estimate of £2,500-3,000.