When Doves buy! New Hampshire auction house lists huge trove of Prince memorabilia – including Purple Rain singer’s four ‘stage-used’ HANDKERCHIEFS estimated at $800

• The RR auction company has 203 pieces of memorabilia up for bidding which an unidentified collector has meticulously collected over the past decade
• All items are from Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’, ‘Lovesexy’, ‘Parade’ and ‘Sign o’ the Times’ era
• The big ticket items include a two-piece ensemble from his role in the 1986 film, Under the Cherry Moon, estimated to be sold for $45,000

Prince’s music lives on as numerous pieces of memorabilia from the mid-1980s to the late 90s are on sale – with a two-piece ensemble estimated to fetch $45,000. 

The RR auction company has 203 items up for bidding, including clothing and other items from the legendary singer’s ‘Purple Rain’, ‘Lovesexy’, ‘Parade’ and ‘Sign o’ the Times’ eras. 

Among the big ticket pieces are a custom-made jacket and pants in sheer black-and-gray devoré fabric from Prince’s role as Christopher Tracy in the 1986 film, Under the Cherry Moon. The outfit is estimated to rake in at least $45,000.

Another expensive item is his stage-worn chain hat from the 1993 Act II Tour, estimated at $40,000. The hat features a black military-style hat with eleven hand-sewn chains hanging from the brim and a metal ‘Love Symbol’ emblem on the front, like the one he made famous in the ‘My Name is Prince’ video.

The auction house notes that this hat was worn on stage during the Act II Tour of Europe, which included Prince’s first and only show at the legendary Wembley Stadium in London. 

The collector has not been identified but auctioneer Bobby Livingston said: ‘The collector who owns it has spent the last decade or so collecting these things from various designers and auction houses. So it’s a pretty comprehensive fashion collection that follows the whole career of Prince.’

Prince’s stage-worn custom-made white ruffled shirt from his iconic performance at the 12th Annual American Music Awards, which were held at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, on January 28, 1985. The item is estimated to fetch at least $15,000

Four of Prince’s personally-owned, stage-used lace handkerchiefs in four different colors: black, blue, purple, and white. These are set to fetch at least $800

Prince in concert at the Nassau Coliseum in New York in 1985

Prince’s stage-worn iconic high-heeled blue boots from the Act I Tour are also one of the most expensive items on the auction list. They are expected to be sold for over $20,000. 

The auction house says they are ‘handsome hand-crafted blue linen boots measure an overall 6.75″ tall (inclusive of the 4.5″ heels), feature zippered uppers, black leather linings, and rubber Translite soles. 

‘Both heels are reinforced with metal brackets, a standard design used for Prince’s stage shoes to prevent them from breaking during Prince’s exuberant stage performances. Each has a label inside: “Custom Made by Willie’s of Hollywood.”‘

Livingston commented on the shoes and said: ‘It just shows an intense amount of wear — how he was jumping on stage and dancing. You can really get a sense of the performer.’ 

The shoes were acquired from a former employee at Paisley Park, Prince’s private estate and production complex in Chanhassen, Minnesota. 

His famous Purple Rain white lace gloves, which he wore in 1984 film Purple Rain and during its namesake tour are also up for sale. 

The gloves are estimated to be sold for over $2000. 

The auction website confirms that all items were acquired by the collector from Prince’s wardrobe designer. 

The collection includes Prince’s classic white ruffled shirt which he wore onstage during the 12th annual American Music Awards in 1985. The shirt is estimated to be sold for $15,000. 

At the 1985 AMAs, he was nominated in ten categories and took home awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Album, Favorite Soul/R&B Album, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single (for ‘When Doves Cry’). 

A blue Schecter ‘Cloud’ guitar from NPG Music Club that was tested by the singer is also up for sale. It is estimated to be sold for $4000. 

The guitar is a Schecter Diamond Series replica of Prince’s iconic blue ‘Cloud’ guitar. 

A magnificent group of 20 Louis & Vaughn fabric samples, scraps, and swatches from Prince’s Purple Rain-era wardrobe department, in various shapes, textures, and colors. The bundle of items are estimated to bring in $800

The website confirms that the instrument is from the 2002 run and was kept by the NPG Music Club store manager as one of the merchandising units that Prince tested himself. 

It’s described as ‘in like new condition with the original plastic still on the bridge pickup and rear plate and includes its original box and warranty card.’

Perhaps the most surprising item on the auction list is his Purple Rain handkerchiefs that are expected to be sold for over $800. 

The handkerchiefs have been described as ‘used as accessories to his various outfits and costumes, Prince would often throw these handkerchiefs into the audience’.

They are available in the colors – black, blue, purple and white and described to be in ‘overall fine condition’. 

Other eccentric items up for auction include collections of dyed fabric samples for his tours, a handwritten note with wardrobe changes for his 1990 Nude Tour and Polaroid photos of his wardrobe collection.  

The auction, titled ‘The Fashion of Prince’ aims to ‘celebrate the glamorous style’ of the iconic singer. The timed auction will end on November 16. 

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