How much is Classic Rock’s Kiss Firehouse helmet worth?

Kiss Firehouse helmet: how much would it bring at auction?

London’s Hard Rock Cafe is teaming up with auctioneers Bonhams tomorrow (Saturday, September 22) to offer memorabilia collectors the chance to have their prized items valued for free. Which got us wondering… how much is Classic Rock‘s Kiss Firehouse helmet worth?

Ahead tomorrow’s valuation shindig, we asked Bonhams if they’d take a look at a treasured Kiss Firehouse helmet, signed by all four Kiss members and owned by Classic Rock‘s Geoff Barton.

Says Barton: “It was worn by Paul Stanley onstage in Leiden, Holland, on October 5, 1980, during the song Firehouse. It was presented to me immediately after the show. (Iron Maiden were Kiss’ support act.)

“This was during Kiss’ Unmasked tour – the first to feature new drummer Eric Carr, replacing Peter Criss.

“I would imagine the combination of the signatures of Simmons, Stanley, Frehley and Carr is relatively rare, as the line-up only lasted from late July 1980 until December 1982. Carr sadly died in 1991.”

Stephen Maycock, entertainment memorabilia specialist at Bonhams, took a long, hard look at the classic Kiss titfer.

He reports: “I think it’s fair to say the market for Kiss memorabilia is much bigger in the US than the UK but this is a nice piece for a collector to have the chance of owning, even though it is personalised to Geoff.

“My feeling is that it could make in the region of £1,200-1,500 if offered at auction here in the UK but it is more than likely the buyer would be overseas.”

Barton responds: “That’s a great result but I don’t think I’ll be putting it up for auction. Whenever I wear it I feel like I’m dressed to kill!”

The Antiques Rockshow runs from 10am until 1pm tomorrow at London’s Hard Rock Cafe and includes the opportunity to enter items to Bonhams’ upcoming entertainment auction, which takes place in December. A maximum of three items per person can be offered for valuation on the day.

Last year’s inaugural event saw people bringing in treasures from Pink Floyd, The Who, The Beatles and The Sex Pistols, some of which went on to be sold at auction.

“With all of our amazing music memorabilia, Hard Rock is the ideal place to host the Antiques Rockshow,” said Hard Rock spokesman Calum MacPherson. “We’re sure that we’re going to see some very unique items at the event. And who knows? Maybe a few of them will be incredible enough to become part of our collection.”