Throne of Darkness
Ozzy’s royal roost, rock music collectibles, and Bob Ross steal the show at Goldin.
When you’re known as the Prince of Darkness, you naturally need a special throne. The late heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne had several, in fact. One of these, the personal throne he used at his final public appearance, was a highlight at Goldin’s Fall Music Memorabilia Auction, which closed on November 12, 2025.
The black gothic-style one-of-a-kind piece sold for $23,180. Adorned with skulls, a bat, and two gold lions on each of the armrests, Osbourne used it at the Comic Con Midlands in Birmingham, England, on July 12, 2025, ten days before he died at the age of 76. It’s signed, “Ozzy Osbourne Was Here,” a fitting touch to his last appearance and a final testament to his enduring influence.
Goldin offered more than 500 treasures of some of music’s biggest stars over a variety of genres, from classic rock icons to rappers. But emerging as the top lot was a painting by Bob Ross, proving he was the most rock and roll of all.
The original oil-on-canvas painting Ross created for an MTV commercial circa 1994 sold for $147,077. The celebrated painter behind the hit PBS show, The Joy of Painting, filmed several commercial and promotional spots for MTV, ending them with “MTV: the land of happy trees.” These commercials perfectly aligned with Generation X’s then-obsession with irony and anything retro.
The 18-inch by 24-inch painting, set in an ornate 23-inch by 29-inch frame, depicts a serene lake surrounded by trees and shrubs on the shore, with a majestic mountain rising in the foreground.
Another top lot was a 1969 Led Zeppelin II vinyl record, signed by band members John Bonham, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones, which sold for $73,200. This opened copy is the first pressing of the UK release of the second studio album by the legendary rockers, powered by the hit single, “A Whole Lotta Love.”
The first time the world heard Nirvana was in 1988 when the rock band’s cover of Shocking Blue’s “Love Buzz” was spun on the radio. The test pressing of this 7-inch vinyl record, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, achieved $58,560. Issued three years before the band’s breakout hit, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” ignited a cultural revolution, this test pressing marks the true beginning of the band’s recorded legacy. Nirvana memorabilia is hugely popular among younger generations discovering the band’s music for the first time, as well as with Generation X-ers, who appreciate the nostalgic connection of experiencing the band firsthand.
A Gibson ES-355 Stereo guitar, performance-used by legendary guitarist Mick Taylor, sold for $56,120. The guitar is photo-matched to two 1975 performances with the Jack Bruce Band, as well as multiple scenes from the 2010 Rolling Stones’ documentary, Stones in Exile. From 1969 to 1974, Taylor served as one of the Stones’ lead, rhythm, and bass guitarists.
Other highlights include rapper and producer Match-Tommy’s The G.A.T. (The Gospel According To…) open vinyl record display that brought $24,440; Michael Jackson’s official stage-worn fedora from his 1987-1989 Bad World Tour that moonwalked away for $16,470; and a Taylor Swift-signed acoustic guitar with case and a custom guitar pick that fetched $15,860.
Prices include a buyer’s premium.
For more results, visit goldin.co.
Images courtesy of Goldin.
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