Arthingworth Man’s Rare Sticker Album Sells For £2,000

A rare copy of the first-ever Panini World Cup sticker album from 1970 has sold at auction in Market Harborough for £2,000.

It was given to Andrew Knott from Arthingworth as a 12^th birthday present and had gathered dust in his garage for over 50 years before he recently found it.

He was in the audience as the Mexico World Cup album went under the hammer at Gildings yesterday afternoon and was bought by an on-line bidder, beating its pre-sale estimate of £1,200 – £1,800.

Andrew with the rare album

Gildings director Will Gilding said: “As an example of the debut World Cup album that started the enduring worldwide craze of Panini football sticker collecting, it was no surprise to see the huge levels of interest from the UK and mainland Europe this special piece of memorabilia attracted at the auction.

“We’re delighted to achieve such a great result for Mr Knott, who was in the room to see his very special childhood birthday present find a home with a new owner who will go on to treasure it for years to come.”

Mr Knott’s Panini album was sold almost complete with only two stickers lost over the 53 years it was kept in storage.

He said: “As it was such a thoughtful and unusual present from my aunt all those years ago, I’ve kept it ever since, but after over half a century in my possession, it was time to part with it, and it was great to be in the room to see it go to a new home where it will be appreciated for years to come.”

The album, which features a combination of self-adhesive stickers and cards that needed to be glued in, was sold with only minor wear and tear to the front cover and all the cards and stickers positioned precisely, thanks to it being given to him already complete.

It features legends of English football, including Bobby Moore, Gordon Banks, Bobby and Jack Charlton and international stars such as Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, Portugal’s Eusébio and Pelé from 1970’s winning team, Brazil.