Rocker's bizarre collection to go under hammer (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Rocker's bizarre collection to go under hammer

A WEALTH of treasures from the Cotswold mansion of the late John Entwistle are due to go under the hammer next Thursday.

Since the rock star's death two years ago, experts from Humberts incorporating Tayler & Fletcher have been sifting through his 52-room mansion in Stow cataloguing a remarkable assortment of items.

Mr Entwistle, who was often known as Ox, lived at Quarwood for 27 years until he died on the eve of a US tour aged 57.

Throughout those years the millionaire rocker amassed a fascinating collection, ranging from skeletons to oriental rugs.

Also included in the list of more than 700 lots are a pinball machine, a collection of the musician's artwork, recording equipment, a longcase clock, a grand piano, a range of medieval armour, a collection of novelty teapots, his video library, a bar billiards table and a toy reindeer with leather antlers.

Principal auctioneer, Martin Lambert said it was the most unusual collection that he had dealt with since joining the Bourton-based firm. "Because of who we are we get to see some amazing things, but nothing like this has happened to us for many years - certainly not since I joined seven-and-a-half years ago.

"Quarwood is a vast rock star's mansion, with wings coming off wings - you could easily get lost there. The lofts alone were bigger than my house and there were things up there that even his son, Chris, didn't know about."

Although the auction, which is being held at the Frogmill Hotel in Andoversford, is likely to attract interest from collectors around the world, Mr Lambert said there would be lots available to suit any pocket. "We expect the lots to go for between £5 and £5,000 - and everything in between. There are a lot of affordable items - but it is difficult to know what will happen - it is not an easy one to call in terms of pricing things up.

"However it goes, it will be a little glimpse into the great man's life."

The auction is likely to be the final chapter in the life and legacy of Mr Entwistle.

Since he died his prized collection of guitars was auctioned at Sotheby's in London and raised more than £1million.

His partner Lisa Pritchett-Johnson, who had lived with him at Quarwood, hit the headlines when she was linked with married Cotswold vicar Colin Wilson, who conducted Mr Entwistle's funeral service.

Despite Lisa's insistence that they were just good friends, the scandal led to the rector stepping down from looking after seven churches - Broadwell, Evenlode, Oddington, Adlestrop, Westcote Icomb and Bledington - saying he was suffering from mental strain. He quit the church altogether at the end of 2003 after church leaders said he had brought 'the Gospel into disrepute'.

Last month, 47-year-old Ms Pritchett-Johnson was found dead at her parents' American home.

Quarwood, which has 42 acres of ground, has now been sold for around £3million to Dutch millionaire Piet Pulford.

The auction starts at 10am next Thursday, with viewing taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8am to 7pm. For more information, visit the auctioneer's website at www.humberts.co.uk/fineart.