A Bakelite Radio Once Owned by the Shirelles? Prove It.
Q: I am excited to ask you about my Bakelite radio. Although it looks like an ordinary worn radio from the early 1940s, it happens to have come from the home of the Shirelles – the historic girls singing group of the 1960s. This is the radio that the girls sat around the kitchen table singing along to at home. I know this because the sister of one of the group members was a best friend to my best friend. She gave me the radio and told me the story. It must hold some historic value for certain. How do I go about obtaining written provenance to prove this radio is the radio from the home of the Shirelles? And once I can do so, does it, in fact, hold any monetary value?
A: The Shirelles were the first major female vocal group of the rock era, defining the so-called girl group sound with soft, sweet harmonies. Formed in 1957, and with such hit songs as “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Soldier Boy” and “Dedicated to The One I Love,” the Shirelles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Providing provenance of an item gives the item credibility as to facts relating to its past and may or may not increase the item’s value. A “Certificate of Authenticity” from a reputable firm given with the item is the surest way of stating an item’s provenance, who owned this item previously. An original receipt showing when purchased, by whom, and listing a description of the item is another way of showing provenance. A handwritten note or autograph along with a photograph perhaps of the Shirelles with the radio would show that indeed the Shirelles owned the radio. An expert can also be brought in to do research to prove provenance of your radio. Lastly, a letter of authenticity from your best friend who gave you the radio and told you the story to go along with the radio would help establish its provenance.
What you have told us about the radio, while interesting, does not prove provenance. It’s a great story but would sound sketchy to any serious buyer.
Regarding value for your 1940s Bakelite radio perhaps owned by the Shirelles, we need to consider demand in the marketplace. We know that a radio owned by Elvis Presley, for instance, with established provenance for sale, would create much demand and a high price paid would be due to its provenance and not just the value of the radio. But in your case would a radio once owned by the Shirelles drive up the price much beyond its actual price? Maybe. Maybe not. Until provenance is established, the value of your radio in its worn condition would be between $55 and $75.
