…where’s all the gay stuff?

By Kieron Arnold

I‘ve been a fan of Peter Wyngarde since the mid-1960’s when I first saw him in the Avengers episode, ‘A Touch of Brimstone‘. I’ve always wanted something that had actually belonged to him; just a little trinket that he’d actually owned, and so for the past 6 months I’ve been scouring saleroom catalogues and online auctions without much luck. Those things that I have happened upon where, I’m sad to say, were way out of my price range.

During my regular hunts, there’s been something I’ve noticed which kind of flies in the face of all the myths and relentless rumours that have surrounded Peter Wyngarde’s sexuality for decades. I’m talking about the items of “porn” (which I’d describe more as ‘erotica’ than hardcore filth) which has popped up in sales at some of the country’s most respected auction houses having once belonged to Peter, some of which is described as coming from his Estate*. Every last piece of the items listed, from the playing cards and magazines to the sex shop standee, all feature hot girly action!

Conspicuous by its complete absence has been anything that could remotely be described as homoerotic or which one might suppose would be of interest to a “gay” man. Can anyone explain?

When I contacted Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins about this she merely said, “Let the evidence speaks for itself.” It was then that I asked if I could collate this stuff and write a small article around it, and so here it is.

Ms. Wyngarde-Hopkins has faced unspeakable abuse at times from people online who believe they knew Peter better than she did, despite the fact that most of them never met him while she, on the other hand, enjoyed a 30-year relationship with him.

“People like that don’t bother me anymore,” she said. “Let them think what they want, it will never change the facts I know the truth, as do those who were also close to Peter. What some knuckle-dragger or vinegar-faced queen chooses to believe is just flotsam and jetsam. All these items are out there in the public domain, so it’s not something I’ve conjured up.”

What you’ll see below are lots from the online catalogues of two separate auction houses. All I can say to those people out there who are still clinging to the same time-worn myths: If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck!

*East Bristol Auctions, 1 Hanham Business Park, Memorial Road, Hanham, Bristol, BS153JE

The items I’ve found online

Auction House Description

A collection of assorted ephemera from Wyngarde’s estate – mostly of a pornographic nature, to include; several original Edwardian postcards of nude females, a set of pornographic playing cards, and a collection of photographs of an erotic nature showing orgies and other group activity (not shown), a copy of ‘ Miss ‘ magazine and other items. Non-pornographic items include a personal photograph of Wyngarde with an unknown lady, several black and white photographs of actresses and other items from his estate.

Auction House Description

Video double-feature of The Bare Breasted Countess / The Unfaithful Wives (Cinecenta Film Distributors 1970’s) double-feature. ‘ X ‘ rated. and poster. Folded. Measures approx; 76cm x 102cm. From the private collection of Peter Wyngarde.

Auction House Description (above and below)

The Estate of Peter Wyngarde; an original vintage 1970’s (1975) Marlboro cigarettes advertising erotic calendar. Each page featuring a different topless photograph, with the month details to top. Retains original binder to top.

Auction House Description

An original 1970’s large cardboard sex shop display / advertising standee of a nude actress. The standee of cardboard construction, with wooden reinforcement to rear. Measures approx; 75cm tall. Rare.

NOTE:

Neither Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins or Thomas Bowington (Bowington Management), entered any Peter Wyngarde related items into the aforementioned auctions, or had any connection to them whatsoever.