Ahead of our inaugural sale, The 13th Note, Head of Department Tony Salani reflects on one of music's greatest rivalries. As The Beatles and The Rolling Stones go head-to-head through a remarkable selection of memorabilia, he reveals which side ultimately wins his vote in this friendly Battle of the Bands.
12 June 2026
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Musical rivalries have always made good copy. Bach and Marchand, Mozart and Salieri, or was that just the film? Blur and Oasis, and of course, the big one: The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Happily, in The 13th Note, there is room for both camps. No favouritism here, at least not officially. In The Beatles' corner is a knock-out group of lots from the Leslie Bryce collection of Beatles photographs. Primarily comprising contact sheets, these remarkable images offer a glimpse behind the scenes, capturing something of the rhythm and atmosphere of life around the band. Among them are photographs of John Lennon playing his celebrated Rickenbacker 355, a particularly evocative sight for any Beatles collector. By a pleasing piece of synchronicity, the sale also includes a limited-edition reissue Rickenbacker 325JL, alongside a selection of vintage and reissue Beatles pressings. Further highlights include The Concert for Bangladesh, Imagine, and a copy of Wings Greatest, signed by both Paul and Linda McCartney.
For those in The Rolling Stones' camp, the sale offers a copy of Sticky Fingers, complete with Andy Warhol's infamous real-zipper cover design, signed to the reverse by Mick Taylor. Also featured are copies of Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed and assorted other albums. In a similar spirit to the Lennon guitar, we also have a Gibson Historic Collection 1959 sunburst. Not quite the legendary 'Keithburst', perhaps, but certainly full of quality, presence and, in the right hands, tone. And for collectors whose appetite for the Stones is as visual as it is sonic, a 1973 Cardiff and Pembroke Castles concert poster may prove irresistible. Designed for the concert that famously never happened, and featuring a roaring dragon alongside John Pasche's instantly recognisable 'hot lips' motif, it is a classic piece of Stones memorabilia and increasingly hard to find.
The Rolling Stones: Two posters (£600-800)
As a fan of both bands but favouring The Beatles, I would love to say that they have won this one, but Sticky Fingers and the lusciously lipped dragon mean that I would vote for The Rolling Stones in this particular, and very civil, 'battle'.
The 13th Note offers an ideal opportunity to begin, build or refine a collection of music memorabilia. Whether your interest lies in classic vinyl, iconic guitars, rare posters or pieces connected to the artists who shaped popular culture, the sale brings together material with both sound and story. We are actively seeking interesting and high-quality items for future sales and would be delighted to advise on consignments or help collectors discover new additions.
It might only be rock and roll, but we like it.
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Ahead of our inaugural sale, The 13th Note, Head of Department Tony Salani reflects on one of music's greatest rivalries. As The Beatles and The Rolling Stones go head-to-head through a remarkable selection of memorabilia, he reveals which side ultimately wins his vote in this friendly Battle of the Bands.
12 June 2026
This summer, Sworders will offer an exceptional set of eight ‘Klismos’ Classical Greek No. 3 chairs, designed by Terence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings and manufactured by Saridis of Athens. Presented in the 14 July Design auction in two lots of four, the chairs represent one of the 20th century’s most refined reinterpretations of the ancient world.
11 June 2026
Situated in the heart of South Kensington, 18 Thurloe Square forms part of one of London's most distinguished nineteenth-century garden residences, and we are delighted to offer items from this collection in our forthcoming Fine Interiors sale.
8 June 2026