…where’s all the gay stuff?
By Kieron Arnold
My admiration for Peter Wyngarde began in the mid-1960s, following his appearance in the Avengers episode, “A Touch of Brimstone.” Since then, I have harboured a desire to own a personal artifact of his – even a smallest of mementos. For the past six months, I have diligently searched saleroom catalogues and online auctions; however, the few items I encountered were unfortunately beyond my budget.
During these searches, I noticed a trend that seems to contradict the persistent rumours regarding Mr. Wyngarde’s sexuality. A variety of adult materials – which I would characterise more as erotica rather than explicit pornography – have appeared in sales at some of the country’s most respected auction houses. Some of these items are explicitly listed as originating from his estate. Every piece listed, from magazines and playing cards to a sex shop standee, features exclusively feminine imagery. Notably absent is anything that could be described as homoerotic or that one might expect to interest a gay man. This discrepancy is curious.
When I contacted Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins regarding this matter, her response was brief: “Let the evidence speak for itself.” I subsequently asked if I might collate these findings into a short article, which is presented here.
Ms. Wyngarde-Hopkins has, at times, faced significant abuse from online know-it-all’s who believe they understood Peter better than she did. This is despite the fact that most of these individuals never met him, whereas she shared a thirty-year relationship with him.
“People like that no longer bother me,” she stated. “Let them believe what they wish; it will never change the facts. I know the truth, as do those who were close to Peter. The opinions of strangers are irrelevant. These items are in the public domain, so are not a narrative I’ve invented.”
The following listings are taken from the online catalogues of two separate auction houses. To those who still clinging to long-standing myths, I suggest that the evidence speaks for itself: 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.
