A love letter from an American rock legend is set to go under the hammer at a South Derbyshire auction house. Jimi Hendrix was playing at a Lincolnshire concert hall on March 25, 1967, when he met the young English girl who was sitting by herself.
He walked across to meet the then 19-year-old Anthea Connell and having been struck by her beauty, wrote 20 words on the back of an old guitar string packet and handed it to her.
The letter read: "To Anthea. Love and kisses to you forever. I wish I could really talk to you. Stay sweet. Jimi Hendrix."
Even now, after 50 years, Anthea has admitted that she blushes when she is reminded that at one time the music legend was attracted to her.
Anthea, from West Bridgford, Nottingham, said: "He started talking to me and I was so shocked I can't even remember what we said.
"I'd love to tell you that we had a deep and meaningful conversation; I must have mumbled something but have no recollection of it. I was totally awestruck. Jimi Hendrix was a complete icon.
"He turned to his band members on the stage and asked one of the guys to give him something to write on. He came back with a guitar strings packet, which may well have been his.
He proceeded to write me this wonderful message on the back. I think it was because, at the time, I was the only girl in the ballroom."
Her husband Steve said: "Having seen photos of her in the 1960s, I can understand why Jimi went over."
The scribbled note, along with autographs from other performers that day, Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers, in Etwall, on Monday, October 23.
The lot has been given an estimate of between £2,000 and £3,000.
Anthea, 69, has now retired from her job in student support services at Nottingham Trent University and has spoken of how she used to horrify her father with the hot pants and huge false eyelashes she wore back in the 1960s.
She said: "When I met Jimi I was going out with Eddie Cooke, a guitarist from a Nottinghamshire band called Sons and Lovers; they were supporting the Jimi Hendrix Experience that night.
"We had arrived early to set up. I was sitting quietly on my own with a Coca-Cola when Jimi walked on to the stage just in front of me.
"Afterwards, when I told Eddie about the note from Jimi, he said 'you ought to hang on to it' – and I did. For years it sat in an old chocolate box at home – but I lost it recently for two years and I was distraught about it. I found it one day when I was looking for something else – and whooped with delight."
She has now credited a combination of the item's incredible value and her fear of it getting stolen as her reasons for deciding to part with it.
"If I was broken into and it was stolen I would be heartbroken. I could lose it forever. I have two children but they'd rather I spent any money raised from selling the autograph on something for myself.
"I'd like to visit to see my cousin in New Zealand and the money could help pay for that. I hope it's bought by a huge Jimi Hendrix fan."
Hansons Auctioneers
Jimi Hendrix died at the age of 27 in 1970 after taking too many sleeping tablets, so autographs from him are quite rare.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers who will be selling the lot, said: "This is a rare and precious piece of music memorabilia that many fans and collectors would love to own. Jimi Hendrix, a rock legend, created a special memory that has lasted a lifetime for Anthea."
The note, along with other associated memorabilia, will be sold at the Heage Lane auction room and more information about the auction and goods that are going under the hammer is available by calling 01283 733988 or emailing service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk.
