A cellist’s collection of autographs of some of the greatest names in 20th Century classical music is to be sold.

In between rehearsals, Ambrose Gauntlett persuaded the likes of Elgar, Prokofiev, Stravinksy and Toscanini to sign his book.

The collection is being auctioned in Colwyn Bay by his grandson.

Also being sold is a photograph taken secretly inside Westminster Abbey of the Queen’s Coronation, from a camera concealed in Gauntlett’s cello case.

The 90 autographs, some with extracts of musical manuscript, were compiled in a book of dates, next to each composer or musician’s birthday.

Other names collected include Richard Strauss, Yehudi Menuhin, William Walton, BBC proms founder Henry Wood and film star Ingrid Bergman.

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Posted: 07|31|07 at 8:15 am. Filed under: Auction News.