A Captain Sensible owned, stage-worn and photo-matched ensemble consisting of a leopard-print button-up shirt with badges, coordinating leopard-print tie, and signed red beret — the iconic stage costume of Captain Sensible of The Damned. Accompanied by a handwritten personal letter from Captain Sensible confirming the shirts’ use as stage costumes. Photo-matched to a confirmed performance at Irving Plaza, New York City on October 18, 2018.
Video Documentation
Historical Context
The Damned are a British punk rock band formed in London in 1976, widely recognized as one of the most important and influential acts in punk and post-punk history. Captain Sensible (born Raymond Ian Burns) is the band’s lead guitarist and one of its founding members. His red beret, leopard-print shirt, and coordinating tie have become among the most recognizable stage costumes in British punk — a consistent and immediately identifiable visual signature that has defined his public image across decades of live performance.
Stage & Performance Use
This ensemble was used by Captain Sensible as his stage costume across multiple live performances with The Damned. In his personal letter accompanying the sale, Captain Sensible confirmed the shirts were worn on stage, noting that depending on how hot the stage lights were, one shirt was used instead of the other. The ensemble is photo-matched to the October 18, 2018 performance at Irving Plaza, New York City, documented in the video linked above and in concert photography by Edwina Hay (MusicExistence).
Photo-Match
The leopard-print shirt and coordinating leopard-print tie are photo-matched to concert photography from The Damned’s live performances through the distinctive combination of the all-over leopard pattern, the specific cut and collar of the shirt, and the coordinating tie pattern. Both the shirt and tie are identifiable in multiple performance photographs alongside Captain Sensible’s red beret — the combination forming his complete and unmistakable stage look. A dedicated photo-match graphic is included in the photographic documentation accompanying this listing.
Specifications
· Shirt: Long-sleeve leopard-print button-up shirt; label reads “razor INTERNATIONALE” (with a macron over the final “E”)
· Tie: Leopard-print necktie; label reads “Top Man” (Topman, UK)
· Beret: Red beret, signed by Captain Sensible
Condition
No notable condition issues. As Captain Sensible noted in his accompanying letter: “Don’t worry I’ve washed off all the stale beer smells from the gigs.” Light wear consistent with stage use.
Included Items
3 photos.
Provenance
Acquired directly from Captain Sensible via Facebook. Accompanied by a handwritten personal letter from Captain Sensible written on an illustrated letterhead featuring cartoon border illustrations by artist Luke Cauldwell — to which Captain Sensible has personally added the heading “BUY ME A BEER!” in his own hand and applied hand-coloring throughout — addressed to the current owner and signed by Captain Sensible. The letter states in full:
“Hi Jason, here’s the 2 stage shirts.. depending on how hot the stage lights were one was used instead of the other.. (one is lighter material!) Don’t worry I’ve washed off all the stale beer smells from the gigs.. it’s been a funny old career and no mistake — what other job is there where all the booze is free. Barman maybe — and I’ve done that job too! (burp) Cheers — Captain Sensible”
Note: The letter references two stage shirts sold together; the second shirt (lighter material) has since been sold separately and is not included in this lot.
Also included: a collection of button badges as shown in the accompanying photographs.
Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance
This lot will be accompanied by a Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance — a document printed on official Nostalgia Bandit letterhead, signed by Nostalgia Bandit’s principal, and affixed with the official Nostalgia Bandit embossed seal. The Letter of Provenance reproduces the complete final auction description for this lot in full, memorializing all provenance documentation, attribution, supporting evidence, and condition details as presented herein. It is designed to travel with the lot through all future ownership transfers as a permanent, platform-independent physical record of the item’s documented history.
Shipping & Measurements
FIRST AND THIRD PARTY SHIPPING OPTIONS AVAILABLE. Contact Nostalgia Bandit for a shipping quote: shipping@nostalgiabandit.com
