Amy Winehouse Valentine Card Sells for £5k at Woking Auction
Woking Auction House Brings Music History to Surrey
A poignant piece of music history has found a new home after being sold at an auction house right here in Woking. The handwritten Valentine’s Day card, penned by the late Amy Winehouse and sent to her husband Blake Fielder-Civil while he was imprisoned in 2008, commanded a final price of nearly £5,000. The sale took place at Ewbank’s auctioneers, a well-established fixture in our community known for handling significant items of cultural value. Andrew Ewbank, the company’s principal, described the card as “a fascinating insight” into the life of one of modern music’s most celebrated artists. The card itself reveals an intimate and vulnerable moment, with Winehouse writing deeply personal verses about her feelings during a turbulent period in her life. For those of us in the Woking area, this auction represents more than just a transaction—it’s a reminder of how our local businesses serve as custodians of cultural moments that resonate across the nation and beyond.
What the Card Reveals About Winehouse’s Life
The Valentine’s message is particularly moving when considered within the context of Winehouse’s life during 2008. At the time of writing, the Grammy-winning artist was holidaying in the Caribbean, having already filed for divorce from Fielder-Civil, to whom she had been married just over a year. Her handwritten message—”My husband, my Blake, virtue is violent and violets are blue, blue-bruised is my heart”—demonstrates her characteristic poetic sensibility and emotional complexity. Despite the relationship’s obvious difficulties, the card conveys genuine affection and her signature wordplay. The couple’s marriage officially dissolved at London’s High Court in July 2009. Winehouse tragically passed away in July 2011 at just 27 years old from accidental alcohol poisoning. Today, the card serves as a tangible connection to a pivotal moment in her life, capturing raw emotion during a complicated chapter. For admirers and collectors, such items offer direct access to the personal thoughts of an artist who left an indelible mark on modern music.
Woking’s Thriving Memorabilia Market and Community Impact
The successful sale at Ewbank’s reflects a thriving market for music memorabilia across Surrey, from Woking to nearby areas like Dorking, Horsley, and East Horsley. The auction house reported exceptional results across multiple lots, including signed guitars from Bruce Springsteen and Oasis, along with iconic items from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Queen. An AC/DC stage cap and tie fetched over £10,000, while an early Pink Floyd poster—significant given the band’s connection to local areas through founding member Roger Waters’ ties to Great Bookham—sold for £4,810. According to Ewbank, these results demonstrate that “the market for music memorabilia is stronger than ever.” For local residents interested in similar sales or looking to understand the value of items they may possess, Woking’s auction houses offer professional expertise. Just as homeowners might consult bathroom fitters or kitchen renovation specialists for major household projects, those with valuable collections benefit from expert appraisal. The success of these auctions also bolsters Woking’s reputation as a cultural hub, attracting collectors and enthusiasts from across the country.
Source: Valentine card from Amy Winehouse sells for nearly £5k in Woking
