The Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, were notorious gang leaders in East London in the 1950s and 60s. As young boys, they ended their boxing careers, and took to crime such as armed robbery, arson and hijacking.
By the 60s, they headed a criminal empire running bars and clubs in the swinging London scene and had many high profile friendships in the world of showbiz.
Recently, the Kray twins’ personal belongings brought in more than £100,000 at the Chiswick Auctions where 160 items including clothes, poems, letters and paintings were sold.
One buyer alone spent more than £50,000 on Kray brother items. The biggest seller was a pair of cufflinks belonging to Ronnie, which reached nearly £15,000.
The Kray twins, who were known for their immaculate appearance, were both jailed for murder in 1969.
Also sold at the auction was a letter from the French artist Francis Bacon, which fetched £7,400 and included photographs signed by actress Patsy Kensit, and musicians Barbara Streisand and Mark Knopfler.
I am astounded by what people want to get their hands on - and I do hope this doesn’t send the wrong signal to young people that crime pays off.
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Buying Gangster's Belongings
The Kray Twins Possessions Fetch £100,000 at Auction
Trend Themes
1. Collecting Gangsters' Artifacts - The high prices fetched by the Kray twins' personal belongings at auction indicate a growing trend of collecting artifacts associated with famous gangsters, presenting a disruptive innovation opportunity for the collectibles market.
2. Monetizing Criminal History - The demand for items connected to notorious criminals like the Kray twins presents a trend of monetizing criminal history, opening up opportunities for businesses to offer experiences, tours, and merchandise related to infamous figures.
3. Exploring True Crime Culture - The fascination with the Kray twins and their criminal empire illustrates a trend of increased interest in true crime culture, creating opportunities for content creators, podcasters, and media companies to cater to this growing audience.
Industry Implications
1. Collectibles - The success of the Kray twins' auction demonstrates the potential in the collectibles industry for acquiring and auctioning artifacts associated with notorious individuals, paving the way for innovative platforms or marketplaces.
2. Tourism - The popularity of gangster-related tours and experiences driven by the fascination with the Kray twins offers opportunities for the tourism industry to develop unique and immersive experiences for visitors.
3. Media and Entertainment - The demand for true crime content and the market for stories related to infamous criminals like the Kray twins provide opportunities for media companies to develop compelling narratives for documentaries, films, and TV series.