Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Jon Dennis

Syd's last sale


Syd Barrett in his brief prime as singer with Pink Floyd.

An unusual line in rock memorabilia is now up for grabs at Cheffins auction house: the contents of the late Syd Barrett's house.

But then, Syd was anything but usual. Alongside the standard Ikea Billy shelves, much of the furniture is hand-painted, or "customised" as Cheffins describes it.

Intriguingly, there are ring-binders full of notes on subjects as diverse as "English cathedrals" (he was the most English of rock singers); "radio amplification" (a continued interest in working with sound); and "hieroglyphics and the alphabet" (not sure what to make of this).

Syd's book collection is are also for sale - including a Harry Potter novel.

And there's some of Syd's artwork (some of it quite good - after all, he did attend Camberwell School of Art). It was widely reported that he destroyed much of this, but now you can own a "pie chart showing the solstice", or some of Syd's bleak landscapes.

You can even buy a hand-painted bike. You can ride it if you like.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.