A remarkable collection of laboratory equipment from the renowned Danish firm Bruel & Kjaer is set to go under the hammer in a unique auction, with bidding starting at just £6,000. The auction, hosted by Vintage Electric Musical Instrument Auctions (VEMIA), will run from November 2nd to 9th and is anticipated to attract interest from collectors and sound enthusiasts alike.
The owner of the collection, Peter Forrest, is spearheading the auction, having spent the past three decades acquiring this equipment from various sources, including auctions, BBC sales, and universities. His passion for Bruel & Kjaer’s gear was ignited by witnessing its use in iconic studios, such as the BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop and in the works of avant-garde composer Karlheinz Stockhausen.
“I admired the stance I believe B&K had for most of the time when they were producing this stuff from the 1950s to 1980s of not making equipment for offensive military purposes,” said Forrest. He praised the aesthetic appeal of the gear, noting, “They chose a seriously beautiful colour for their casework, which they still use today. And to cap it all, the insides of these instruments are hand-made works of art.”
The vast collection, measuring 4 metres wide by 2 metres high and weighing approximately one ton, represents a significant investment in scientific sound equipment. If adjusted for inflation, the original cost of this gear would exceed £500,000, with some units priced comparably to a Mini car at the time of their production.
Forrest’s decision to auction the equipment comes as he plans to step back from managing the auction process, leading to the need to clear some beloved items from his storage space. He emphasised that the collection is sold “as seen,” with no guarantee of working order. However, he believes it would make a “sensational static display,” with the potential for individual pieces to be restored and returned to full functionality over time.
The auction will feature various equipment pieces, and potential buyers should note that the final price, including buyer’s premium and delivery within the UK, could be less than £7,500 for the entire collection.
Vintage Electric Musical Instrument Auctions has garnered a reputation for offering unique and high-value items, with predictions indicating that this November auction could see sales reaching £500,000. Items in the auction are valued between £15,000 and £100,000, attracting both serious collectors and those simply interested in unique sonic possibilities.
As the auction date approaches, anticipation builds for this rare opportunity to acquire a significant piece of sound engineering history, representing not only technological innovation but also a rich cultural legacy within the music and sound production community.
