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Keeping The Beatles’ trademark ‘moptop’ haircut in trim was the job taken on by hairdresser Betty Glasow. She kept her mementos from the early 1960s – until now, reports Francesca Collin

What might The Beatles be most remembered for? Well, apart from their catchy songs, it was their distinctive image that made them really stand out in the early 60s – particularly their sharp suits and trademark moptop haircuts. One person who had particularly intimate knowledge of the Fab Four’s hair is Betty Glasow, who was their hairdresser on the Beatles’ film sets of Hard Day’s Night and Help. Now in her seventies and living in Sussex, Betty was in charge of keeping the boys’ barnets looking good throughout the long filming schedules. “It was great fun working with the boys on the films,” explains Betty. “ They were always having a laugh. My job was to keep their hair in order and as the films were made over three months they needed regular trims too.”

Their moptops, or ‘Arthur’ haircut as it became known, became hugely popular with teenagers worldwide, and it was even possible to buy a special Beatles moptop wig. And it is referred to in the movie A Hard Day’s Night, when George Harrison is asked in an interview, “What would you call that, uh, hairstyle you’re wearing?” He replies “Arthur”.

But although all their hairstyles looked the same to the fans, Betty Glasow was privy to all their secrets. Apparently, George Harrison had a very dry scalp and Ringo even had a grey streak which he hid by brushing it forward.

Betty Glasow acquired a small but highly personal collection of mementos from members of The Beatles, which are coming up for sale at Gorringes in Worthing on 12 December. The collection includes signed photographs and even a lock of John Lennon’s hair, which she stuck inside a dedicated copy of Spaniard in the Works and is estimated at £2,000-3,000.

Betty Glasow also worked with a huge number of other stars, and her collection includes a fascinating album of signed photos and personal messages from such actors as Michael Caine from Educating Rita and Peter Ustinov from Death on the Nile, as well as Steve McQueen from The War Lover and Harrison Ford from Patriot Games, and, more recently, members of the cast of the Harry Potter films.

The Gorringes sale will also feature other great items of pop memorabilia. Showing true dedication to her idols is The Beatles fan who kept not only her programme and ticket from the Beatles Christmas Concert at Hammersmith Apollo in 1965, but even a screw taken from the seats which the audience ripped out so they could dance in the aisles at the concert (estimate: £80-120).

Auction: Wednesday, 12 December
Viewing 8, 10 & 11 December
Enquiries: 01903 238999
email: worthing@gorringes.co.uk

From Victorian cut glass and streamlined Modernist creations to rare design classics and quirky novelty items, scent bottles are both decorative and collectable, if you have the nose for it, says Francesca Collin

The range of scent bottles available to collectors is vast. Most collectors today concentrate on the 18th century to the present day. Prices vary according to decoration, quality and the presence of the original packaging.

To be successful, by the mid-20th century perfumes required an identifiable container and packaging. Designer fragrances became popular in 1921, with the introduction of Chanel’s No. 5 perfume. Bizarre designs, such as Jean Paul Gaultier’s corseted bottle and tin container are becoming collector’s pieces today.

Perhaps the best tip if you want to start collecting perfume bottles is to hold on to the free samples available over the counter – but don’t be tempted to try the scent first!

1 [lot 960 July 05]

During the 18th century only the wealthiest could afford the status symbol of fragrance. The containers were of decorated enamel or colourless glass, with gilt metal or silver mounts. As a result of the Industrial Revolution a prosperous middle class was able to afford scent too and by the middle of the 19th century the demand grew for attractive containers, including coloured glass from Bohemia. Although commonly over 100 years old these bottles are often reasonably priced. These ruby glass bottles with silver overlay sold for £150 at Gorringes.

2 [Lot 740 April 05]

This pair of early Victorian perfume bottles fetched £150. When examining bottles, look for traces of poor restoration if they are made of porcelain. If they are made of glass, like these, avoid any cracks or damage to the painting on the glass itself. Another tip is to feel inside the neck of the bottle for chips.

3 [Lot 927 Victorian glass bottles]

This group of Victorian cut glass scent bottles shows the range of deeply cut and faceted bottles produced in the 19th century. This group fetched £100 at Gorringes.

4 [Lalique apple-shaped bottle]

In 1907, the great French glass designer Rene Lalique teamed up with parfumier Francois Coty to launch the concept of selling highclass perfumes in their own, stylish, speciallydesigned bottles. Major fragrance houses and fashion designers commissioned Lalique to produce for them, and their work is now highly coveted. This Lalique perfume bottle, in the shape of an apple, recently sold at Gorringes for £210. The company produced containers for numerous small perfumeries and collectors should look carefully, as not all bottles are marked.

5 [lot 1697 Dec 05]

Novelty perfume containers come in all shapes and sizes. This silver-topped ceramic scent bottle modelled as a walnut was produced in Birmingham in 1920 and sold for £110 (part lot). During the 20th century the demand for cheaper cosmetics and scents continued apace and commercial producers slipped scent bottles into a Bakelite shoe or tucked them inside a tiny fur-fabric teddy bear.

International Perfume Bottle Association
www.ipba-uk.co.uk
Gorringes, 15 North Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2PD.
Call 01273 472503 or see www.gorringes.co.uk.

Collecting clocks can be daunting for the seasoned collector, let alone the beginner, says Francesca Collin

Unlike a bronze or a painting, what you see is most definitely not all you get and it is often the mechanism as much as the beautiful exterior which sets its value.

Antique clocks come in many shapes and varieties - from the so-called grandfather clock, or longcase clock, to decorative clocks for tabletops and dressers.

The earliest domestic clocks are from France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Of open-frame construction and mounted on the wall, these clocks had a bell within a spire and were driven by weights. The invention of the mainspring in the late 15th century triggered creativity and the manufacture of portable clocks. The earliest surviving examples, which are rare, date from the early 16th century.

Compared to other collecting fields, prices for antique clocks can be surprisingly affordable; often a clock by a top maker will generally cost much less than a painting by a top artist of the same period. French 19th century French decorative mantel clock or a French striking carriage clock from the latter part of the 19th are good pieces to start a collection, with prices ranging from about £150.

If you are after something more imposing, a long-case clock makes an impressive piece of furniture, and with prices continuing to rise steadily over the past few years, they can also be a shrewd investment, especially when you consider that when sold they are not subject to capital gains tax.

Most longcase clocks were made in England between the late 17th and 19th centuries, although lesser numbers were also produced in Europe and America. Like most type of clock the value of a longcase depends on the quality of the case, movement and dial. If a clock has an unusual or attractively painted dial, or an elaborate marquetry or lacquered case it will cost more, such as a late 17th century walnut and floral marquetry longcase clock which sold for £5,400 at Gorringes recently. And longcases by London makers are usually particularly sought after, especially Thomas Mudge Sr, William Dutton and John Holmes.

"Compared to other collecting fields, prices for antique clocks can be surprisingly affordable; often a clock by a top maker will generally cost much less than a painting by a top artist of the same period"

Sometimes a clock may have an interesting story behind it which adds value too – the late 19th century French brass combination carriage clock and barometer (left) was originally presented in 1898 to Richard George McConnell (1857-1942), a member of the Canadian Geological Survey, and is up for sale at Gorringes’ next auction in September for £500-700.

Gorringes, 15 North Street , Lewes BN7 2PD
Next sale: 11, 12 & 13 September
Viewing: 7, 8 & 10 September
Enquiries: clientservices@gorringes.co.uk