Welcome to Recordmecca's Velvet Underground memorabilia site. Recordmecca's Jeff Gold travels the world in search of rare music memorabilia and collectible records.
Recently we've acquired some truly amazing Velvet Underground artifacts from the collection of the late great Velvets guitarist, Sterling Morrison. Sterling actively collected Velvet Underground memorabilia throughout his band's career, and we feel fortunate to have obtained many one-of-a-kind items from his widow, Martha Morrison. Everything below is for sale (email Jeff Gold with any questions), but even if you aren't in the market, we hope you'll enjoy seeing some truly extraordinary Velvet Underground memorabilia (We will be adding to this in the next few months, so do check back.)
When you're done here, we hope you'll visit Recordmecca for more music collectibles and rare records, and and the main Recordmecca Blog for some great period Velvets advertisements from Sterling's collection. Enjoy !
A previously unknown and undocumented 1970 concert poster from the Unicorn club, from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. This has had some high quality restoration and is in excellent condition, with rice paper backing.
$8500.
A 1969 Velvet Underground 3rd LP promotional sticker made by MGM Records. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a copy of a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $65.
A 1969 Velvet Underground handbill from the Boston Tea Party; from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $1500.
A Max's Kansas City "charge record" signed by Sterling Morrison (who also wrote his name and address at top.) Sterling and the Velvets were frequent customers at Max's, where the band played their last series of concerts with Lou Reed in September 1970 (their "Live At Max's Kansas City" was recorded during these shows.) From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. 3 1/2" x 4 7/8". $225.
An extremely rare 1969 poster for the Velvet Underground at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Silkscreened in blue and gold metallic ink on black paper; 34 3/4" x 18". With rice paper backing and has some high quality restoration, this is in excellent condition. Stunning. $8500.
A previously unknown and undocumented 1967 handbill for the Velvets shows at the A-Go-Go in West Yarmouth, Mass. The artwork here was copied from Wes Wilson's Fillmore handbill; from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $6000.
A previously unknown and undocumented 1968 handbill from the Whiskey A-Go-Go, Hollywood, listing concerts (each with a band bio) by the Velvets, Moby Grape, the Flying Burrito Brothers (their first ever shows, opening for Moby Grape,) Kaleidoscope, and more. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. Printed on both sides. $1250.
An extremely rare 1966 handbill for Andy Warhol's Up-Tight, Warhol's first ever multi-media show (prior to the Exploding Plastic Inevitable.) These were the first ever public shows by the Velvet Underground and Nico (only preceded by their performance at the New York Society for Clinical Psychiatry dinner.) These legendary shows took place at New York's Filmmaker's Cinematheque. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $5000.
Two 1968 postcard/handbills for the Velvet Underground shows at San Francisco's Avalon Ballroom, produced by the Family Dog; from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $400.
An original Velvet Underground set list in Sterling Morrison's hand, from a show at the Quiet Knight in Chicago, sometime between January 15-21, 1970 (written on the back of a form from a long defunct Chicago accounting firm.) Only a handful of Velvet Underground set lists have survived, all preserved by Morrison. Velvets collector Gavin Roberts pointed out the similarity between this and the other Quiet Knight setlists saved by Sterling, and we thank him for his insight. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. Price on request.
A rare 1968 poster for the Velvet Underground and Quicksilver Messenger Service at the Hippodrome in San Diego; printed on silver metallic paper. 17 1/2" x 22"; from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $6000.
A huge concert poster for two June, 1993 Velvet Underground reunion tour shows in Hamburg and Berlin. Printed in two separate sheets, this measures 66" x 33" and is extremely impressive. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $800.
A Gulf oil gas station receipt signed by Sterling Morrison using his legal name, Holmes Morrison, Jr. (Sterling was his middle name.) Items signed by Sterling with his actual first name are scarce. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a copy of a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $100.
Sterling Morrison's 1966 union membership card for the Associated Musicans of Greater New York from the earliest days of the Velvet Underground, stamped December 7, 1966 on the reverse; along with Morrison's 1965 Union Constitution and By-Laws booklet from Local 802/American Federation of Musicians. from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $1200.
A carbon copy receipt for equipment made out to "Velvet Underground NYC" and dated September 1968, the notations appearing to be for modifications to a Gibson guitar as per Sterling's specifications. Some chipping and archival repairs to back. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. SOLD
A set of Sterling Morrison's personal guitar strings, unused, probably from the 1993 Velvet Underground reunion tour. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $350.
An unused 1969 ticket for the Velvet Underground at Springer's Ballroom in Portland, Or. Printed on gold foil paper; from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $350.
A handbill for a 1968 Velvet Underground show and "the unveiling of the new album--White Light/White Heat with Andy Warhol, movies and dance." This was the launch party for the Velvets 2nd album at the Aardvark Cinematheque in Chicago, taking place the week the album was released. With notes on the back in Sterling Morrison's hand; from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $3500.
A 1969 handbill from the Velvet Underground's shows at the Vulcan Gas Company in Austin, TX; from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. SOLD
Sterling Morrison's original Tugboat pilot's license, issued by the US Coast Guard and signed by him on the reverse using his legal name, Holmes Sterling Morrison. Morrison famously piloted tug boats during the summers while living in Texas and teaching at the University of Texas (he eventually left teaching, and worked on tugs full time; Martha Morrison tells us he was known in the Houston channel as "The Professor.") From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $400.
Sterling Morrison's W-2 tax form listing all income made from the Velvet Underground's recordings during 1968; issued by MGM Records. With original MGM mailing envelope; from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $500.
Sterling Morrison's handwritten production notes for Velvet Underground drummer Moe Tucker's 1981 solo album, "I Spent A Week There The Other Night." All of the original Velvets guested on this album, and these notes make clear that Morrison helped her with his detailed production suggestions. Morrison has made his detailed suggestions on both sides of this sheet; also included is a handbill from a Moe Tucker and Sterling Morrison show from the same era. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison (who also sings on the album.) $750.
Sterling Morrison's 1958-1959 Certificate of Achievement for participation on his high school track team; issued by Levittown Division Avenue High School, Levittown, New York. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $350.
A poster for the June, 1993 Velvet Underground reunion show in Hamburg, Germany; featuring Andy Warhol's banana artwork printed on a background of metallic silver. 23 1/2" x 33"; from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $400.
And finally, one more Velvets item not from Sterling's collection--but rare as well.
One of only 20 Velvet Underground-signed "contributor copies" of Johan Kugelberg's highly acclaimed book "The Velvet Underground: New York Art," with a number of very exclusive extras. 20 copies were made for contributors to the book, and were never sold. This superb chronicle of the Velvets is filled with never-before-seen photographs, artifacts, concert posters, handwritten lyrics, clippings, interviews and contributions from band members Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker and Doug Yule to longtime fan and former Czech president Vaclev Havel. A for-sale Deluxe limited edition of 400 copies were made, which includes a windowed clamshell box with gold stamped cover art derived from a rare concert poster, a 7" 45rpm record with extremely rare versions of the Velvets tracks "Real Good Time Together" and "If You Close The Door" from Moe Tucker's personal collection (and housed in a large cardboard sleeve with a rare VU live photograph, and a CD with the same two tracks. ) Author Johan Kugelberg assembled 20 very special "contributor copies" for people involved with the book's publication; these are signed by Velvet Underground members Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker and Doug Yule on the oversized 45 holder, and signed by Kugelberg inside the book. Each contains a note from Kugelberg, noting "This copy is one of 20 I've assembled in gratitude for all the kind assistance by swells like you. It contains a silk-screened picture sleeve for the 45, a C-print of the Velvets in Connecticut (measuring 8" square,) and a silk-screened facsimile of the January 1966 Uptight invite." We obtained this directly from Kugelberg; we contributed a number of images to the book and instead of a fee we chose to be compensated with a few of these ultra-rare collectible copies.
To purchase anything here, or with any questions, email Jeff Gold.
For more rare music memorabilia and collectibles, visit RECORDMECCA
And of course, let us know if you have any rare records or music collectibles for sale.
Recently we've acquired some truly amazing Velvet Underground artifacts from the collection of the late great Velvets guitarist, Sterling Morrison. Sterling actively collected Velvet Underground memorabilia throughout his band's career, and we feel fortunate to have obtained many one-of-a-kind items from his widow, Martha Morrison. Everything below is for sale (email Jeff Gold with any questions), but even if you aren't in the market, we hope you'll enjoy seeing some truly extraordinary Velvet Underground memorabilia (We will be adding to this in the next few months, so do check back.)
When you're done here, we hope you'll visit Recordmecca for more music collectibles and rare records, and and the main Recordmecca Blog for some great period Velvets advertisements from Sterling's collection. Enjoy !
$8500.
A Max's Kansas City "charge record" signed by Sterling Morrison (who also wrote his name and address at top.) Sterling and the Velvets were frequent customers at Max's, where the band played their last series of concerts with Lou Reed in September 1970 (their "Live At Max's Kansas City" was recorded during these shows.) From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. 3 1/2" x 4 7/8". $225.
An original Velvet Underground set list in Sterling Morrison's hand, from a show at the Quiet Knight in Chicago, sometime between January 15-21, 1970 (written on the back of a form from a long defunct Chicago accounting firm.) Only a handful of Velvet Underground set lists have survived, all preserved by Morrison. Velvets collector Gavin Roberts pointed out the similarity between this and the other Quiet Knight setlists saved by Sterling, and we thank him for his insight. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. Price on request.
A carbon copy receipt for equipment made out to "Velvet Underground NYC" and dated September 1968, the notations appearing to be for modifications to a Gibson guitar as per Sterling's specifications. Some chipping and archival repairs to back. From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. SOLD
A handbill for a 1968 Velvet Underground show and "the unveiling of the new album--White Light/White Heat with Andy Warhol, movies and dance." This was the launch party for the Velvets 2nd album at the Aardvark Cinematheque in Chicago, taking place the week the album was released. With notes on the back in Sterling Morrison's hand; from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $3500.
A 1969 handbill from the Velvet Underground's shows at the Vulcan Gas Company in Austin, TX; from the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. SOLD
Sterling Morrison's original Tugboat pilot's license, issued by the US Coast Guard and signed by him on the reverse using his legal name, Holmes Sterling Morrison. Morrison famously piloted tug boats during the summers while living in Texas and teaching at the University of Texas (he eventually left teaching, and worked on tugs full time; Martha Morrison tells us he was known in the Houston channel as "The Professor.") From the Sterling Morrison collection, with a letter of authenticity from Martha Morrison. $400.
And finally, one more Velvets item not from Sterling's collection--but rare as well.
One of only 20 Velvet Underground-signed "contributor copies" of Johan Kugelberg's highly acclaimed book "The Velvet Underground: New York Art," with a number of very exclusive extras. 20 copies were made for contributors to the book, and were never sold. This superb chronicle of the Velvets is filled with never-before-seen photographs, artifacts, concert posters, handwritten lyrics, clippings, interviews and contributions from band members Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker and Doug Yule to longtime fan and former Czech president Vaclev Havel. A for-sale Deluxe limited edition of 400 copies were made, which includes a windowed clamshell box with gold stamped cover art derived from a rare concert poster, a 7" 45rpm record with extremely rare versions of the Velvets tracks "Real Good Time Together" and "If You Close The Door" from Moe Tucker's personal collection (and housed in a large cardboard sleeve with a rare VU live photograph, and a CD with the same two tracks. ) Author Johan Kugelberg assembled 20 very special "contributor copies" for people involved with the book's publication; these are signed by Velvet Underground members Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker and Doug Yule on the oversized 45 holder, and signed by Kugelberg inside the book. Each contains a note from Kugelberg, noting "This copy is one of 20 I've assembled in gratitude for all the kind assistance by swells like you. It contains a silk-screened picture sleeve for the 45, a C-print of the Velvets in Connecticut (measuring 8" square,) and a silk-screened facsimile of the January 1966 Uptight invite." We obtained this directly from Kugelberg; we contributed a number of images to the book and instead of a fee we chose to be compensated with a few of these ultra-rare collectible copies.
To purchase anything here, or with any questions, email Jeff Gold.
For more rare music memorabilia and collectibles, visit RECORDMECCA
And of course, let us know if you have any rare records or music collectibles for sale.
