A fan of legendary frontman Mark E Smith has set up a site raising money to buy his belongings and keep them in the community. A collection of items belonging to the founder of the post-punk band, The Fall, are to be auctioned off in September.
The collection includes a signed letter to the NME, handwritten set lists and lyrics, white label singles, master tapes of tracks, and rare concert posters which will be up for sale by auction house Omega.
The site calling for the public’s help in saving these items was set up by Adam Spencer and has been taken over by Bury Archive where the items will be donated too if the fundraiser proves successful.
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The archive are hoping to snag enough items for them to hold exhibitions and instillations at Prestwich library to go with the iconic mural of Mark in Prestwich. Archivist and friend of Adam Spencer, Ian Johnstone, said: “It’s a race against time to save this material. Once this auction's gone and it’s distributed out to who knows, then it’s out of the borough and would never come back.
“It might seem at the moment that he only died few years ago, but say in 100 years time it’d be easy for him to be forgotten. If someone is interested in doing research all that material will never be able to be found if it goes to multiple people.
“Someone will buy it with all the best will in the world and put it in a frame in their office, but what happens years to come when they day and someone comes and sees it as a piece of junk and throws it away. That’s what the archive ‘s about, just ensuring that the history of the area is preserved and is accessible to anyone who’s interested. “
Mark E Smith sadly passed away back in 2018. Prior to his death he was the only remaining founding member of the group, which formed in Prestwich in 1976.
The group which had built a cult fan base released more than 30 studio albums, and dozens more live records and EPs. Months after his death a giant mural of Mark was painted on the side of a fish and chip shop in Prestwich to commemorate his legacy.
Adam Spencer and Bury Archive are looking to raise £4,000 before the auction on Tuesday, September 13. You can donate via the site, here.
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