Sex Pistols single fetches record price at Wiltshire auction

An extremely rare Sex Pistols vinyl record has sold for a record price at auction.

The sought-after copy of the controversial single God Save the Queen was printed in 1977 to coincide with the Queen’s late Silver Jubilee.

Around 25,000 records were withdrawn from sale following a backlash over lyrics describing the monarchy as a “fascist regime”.

However, several copies remained in circulation, one of which was sold by vinyl specialists Wessex Auction Rooms on July 5 for £24,320.

The single was released during the band’s time with the A&M record label in the 1970s.

It became the most censored recording in British history after it was banned by the BBC and almost every independent radio station in the UK.

A&M dropped their contract with the punk rock band and all copies of the single God Save the Queen were destroyed.

However, it later emerged that some recordings had been retained by the company and a number of executives were given a copy of the single when A&M closed its London offices in 1998.

Between 13-20 of these “golden handshake” copies are believed to exist and have long been considered a “Holy Grail” item among vinyl collectors and punk enthusiasts alike.

The last one to sell at Wessex Auction Rooms in 2019 sold for a then world record £16,400 including buyer’s premium.

Although already one of the rarest records in the world, the latest copy to go under the hammer was all the more special because it wasn’t one of the 1998 “golden handshake” copies.

The anonymous record seller is said to have been the first person to meet the Sex Pistols in 1977, when they came to the A&M offices where he worked at the front desk.

When she left the company in 1984, she disposed of a raffle containing a box of Sex Pistol singles, which she was given permission to keep.

“The current single sold at Wessex Auction Rooms is my last,” she said.

“I held on to him for sentimental reasons, but I feel now is the time to break up with him.

“I’m worried that one day it might disappear or be damaged,” she added.

Vinyl record specialist and auctioneer Martin Hughes said: “The Sex Pistols will forever be an important chapter in both music and pop culture history, and this record will remain a holy grail item for any serious collector.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to break the record again if I’m lucky enough to get another copy under the hammer.”

The record sold for £24,320 including buyer’s premium.

It was part of Wessex Auction Rooms, specializing in the sale of Punk and New Wave records and memorabilia.