A Sennheiser e865 supercardioid condenser microphone stage-used by Sting during The Police Reunion World Tour (2007-2008), from the collection of Ian Newton, Monitor Engineer for the tour. The microphone’s soft pouch case is labeled “STING / IAN” in marker, directly attributing the mic to Sting and to Newton as its custodian. The lot additionally includes four crew tour books belonging to Newton — three from The Police Reunion Tour and one from Sting’s Symphonicity Summer 2010 tour — and an All Access laminate from The Police World Tour 2007-2008.
Video Documentation
Historical Context
The Police — Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers — reunited in 2007 after a 24-year hiatus for one of the most commercially successful reunion tours in rock history. The Police Reunion World Tour ran from May 2007 through August 2008, grossing over $341 million and playing to more than 3.7 million fans worldwide. It remains one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time.
The Sennheiser e865 is a professional supercardioid condenser microphone widely used for live vocal performance at the highest level. It is visually consistent with the microphone documented in live footage from the reunion tour period.
Stage & Performance Use
The soft pouch case bearing “STING / IAN” in marker is the direct link between this microphone, Sting’s live use, and Ian Newton’s role as its custodian within the touring production. As Monitor Engineer, Newton was responsible for managing the on-stage monitoring environment — including Sting’s microphone chain. This is the standard operational relationship in major touring productions between a monitor engineer and the lead vocalist’s microphone. The microphone itself shows wear consistent with professional live stage use.
Specifications
· Manufacturer: Sennheiser (Germany)
· Model: e865
· Type: Supercardioid condenser handheld microphone for live vocal performance
· Finish: Silver-grey metalite body; black grille
Condition
Good. The microphone exhibits wear consistent with professional live stage use, including handling marks and surface wear to the body. Fully functional.
Included Items
Soft black pouch case with yellow tape labeled “STING / IAN” in black marker.
All Access laminate: The Police World Tour 2007-2008 (purple/blue/red/yellow design).
Four spiral-bound crew tour books belonging to Ian Newton:
“Whilst on Tour with… The Police” — humor/photo crew book from the reunion tour; yellow spiral binding.
The Police U.S. Tour Spring 2008 — orange cover with band photograph; “IAN” written on the name label on the cover.
The Police Reunion Tour — tropical/band photograph cover; includes Personnel page crediting Ian Newton as Monitor Engineer (Band: Sting, Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers; full touring staff and crew listings).
Sting Symphonicity Summer 2010 — gold cover; Newton/Xerox sponsor branding; Sting solo tour book from Ian Newton’s subsequent engagement with Sting’s touring organization.
1 blue duo-tone canvas print of the microphone in stage use, as illustrated in the listing imagery.
Provenance
From the personal collection of Ian Newton, Monitor Engineer for The Police Reunion World Tour 2007-2008 and subsequent Sting solo touring — described by Omega Auctions as “from the collection of an experienced monitoring engineer, who worked with Sting, Kate Bush and many other notable artists during a lengthy career.” Newton is credited by name as Monitor Engineer in the Personnel pages of the tour books included in this lot. Originally sold as Lot 400 in Omega Auctions (February 7, 2023).
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
» Microphone: 7.5 x 1.75″ · 0.70 lbs.
» Case: 9.25 x 4″ · 0.08 lbs.
» Canvas print: 10.5 x 8.5 x 1.5″ · 1.50 lbs.
» Tour books (x4): 8.5 x 6 x 0.5″ · 0.66 lbs. each
