'Defining' photos of musicians to be auctioned

Some of the most iconic photos ever taken of British musicians, including the Rolling Stones and Kate Bush, are to be auctioned.

Acclaimed photographer Gered Mankowitz, 80, is selling a collection of his photos - including some used as album covers - at auction in Wiltshire in early September.

More than 100 signed photos of stars including Jimi Hendrix, Oasis, Duran Duran and Wham! will be included in the selection, which is expected to fetch £50,000.

Mankowitz, who is selling his work as he and his wife Julia prepare to downsize their home, said it was "rather sad to see the spaces on our walls where my pictures used to hang".

"I'm a bit of a hoarder and I've been lucky enough to have the space to keep things, but we've reached the point in our lives where it's become harder to manage our house and garden so we want to downsize," Mankowitz said, ahead of his move from Cornwall to Wales.

Mankowitz began his career in the early 1960s and was famously one of the first British photographers to work with legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix.

His photographs have been used as record covers by hundreds of artists including Elton John, George Harrison, The Jam, Slade, Suzie Quattro, The Eurythmics, Duran Duran, 10cc, Sparks and ABC.

Well-known albums featuring his photographs as cover art, including Lionheart by Kate Bush and Between the Buttons by The Rolling Stones.

Later in his career Mankowitz extended his work into film and television, shooting the Monty Python team, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.

Auctioneer Luke Hobbs, at Gardiner Houlgate, Corsham, described the photos as a "remarkable collection".

"In many ways, Gered's work defined the look of the British music industry in its heyday," he added.

"We're anticipating interest from around the world from serious collectors and fans alike. It's proven extremely hard to value the archive because here's such a big element of nostalgia and emotional connection for buyers."

The Julia and Gered Mankowitz Archive Collection will be auctioned on 7 September, alongside books, vinyl records and a guitar.

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