Aladdin’s Cave of the historic, bizarre and jaw-dropping goes to auction at Ewbank’s

The answer is the late Tony Parker, who died aged just 70 last year. 

A fine example of the ultimate collector, his home in the south of England was covered wall to wall, ceiling to floor in his beloved rock, pop and entertainment memorabilia – especially linked to The Beatles – as well as the historical, the quirky and the quaint. From gold discs and musical instruments, to movie costumes and photos of the stars, as well as an extraordinary range of taxidermy, he had it all, with countless additional items of interest from many and varied fields.

Now Ewbank’s Auctions are to offer around 300 lots from his collection in the dedicated sale, Magical Mystery Tour – The Tony Parker Collection, on August 26. What amounts to one of the most eclectic and bizarre collections ever consigned to auction is expected to fetch around £30,000.

Tony Parker’s daughter, Fay Capstick, explains what made her father such an obsessive collector and extraordinary character: “He was an eccentric and ever inquisitive, whether about space, history or the paranormal. But he was also a musician and would-be pop star. I think once he started collecting and filling the house, it became an all-consuming passion and he loved to see everything he owned right in front of him.”

The house, as remarkable as the collection itself, became a landmark in the village of West End near Southampton, as Tony added to it over the years. The garden, dominated by a pond, with statues, architectural pieces and even a parking meter and a telescope from the promenade Isle of Wight ferry, became as much a talking point as the stained glass, turret and gothic features with which he dressed the property.

Now the Magical Mystery Tour Auction on August 26 marks the completion of his life’s work as a collector. “Really that house is my dad’s brain exploded,” says Fay. “Every corner captures a piece of his restless and energetic imagination.”

If you want to explore that imagination, you will find something for every taste in the auction catalogue online at www.ewbankauctions.co.uk

Magical Mystery Tour – The Tony Parker Collection will be for sale on August 26, starting at 9.30am.

Live online bidding is available via the Ewbank’s website.