Death of famed memorabilia collector

Sunday 25 June 2017

One of Jersey’s most ‘colourful’ residents, famed memorabilia collector, David Gainsborough Roberts, has died.

He was probably best known for his vast Marilyn Monroe collection – before he sold it, it was the biggest in private hands.

But his collection also included items owned by other Hollywood stars, cowboys, gangsters, villains, and the allied and axis leaders of World War II. He also had a vast film poster collection, an extensive art collection, and thousands of books. He’d recently taken up collecting items of Jersey-memorabilia.

Jersey Heritage hosted two highly successful exhibitions at its Pier Road Museum based around his collection: Fame, and Marilyn. The latter proved so successful its initial seven-month run was extended to almost two years. Items from David’s collection were also loaned to museums around the world. Last year islanders nominated him as the subject for the Heritage Trust’s Citizen of the Year Portrait – something he was very proud of. At the unveiling ceremony, Jersey Heritage director, Ed Sallis, described David as “one of a kind”.

David was noted for giving freely of his time. He was a much sought-after speaker, and would pass around items from his collection to the gathered audience. He gave numerous lectures for the Heritage Trust. He was also the subject of many newspaper, radio and television features. In one television documentary, From Mussolini to Monroe, he threw his house open to the cameras and Islanders got their first glimpse of an until-then relatively secret collection.

He was also a familiar face at the horse races at Les Landes – for many years he hosted and judged the ‘best dressed’ competition on Ladies’ Day.

Friends say it was difficult to miss David: he was more than six foot tall, had long flowing grey hair, and a distinctive dress sense. Sometimes he would wear a waistcoat and tie with images of Marilyn Monroe on; on other occasions a cowboy hat, native Indian-inspired jacket with tassels, a bootlace tie, and alligator skin shoes; sometimes a frock-coat with numerous badges and medals on the lapels.

David lived life to the full – was a familiar face in many restaurants – particularly at the museum – and hosted numerous well-attended champagne soirees at his St Brelade home. Guests were often surprised to be trusted with passing round a starter of cooked prawns served on a Picasso-painted plate.

David made international headlines last year when his Marilyn collection netted more than a million pounds at auction in Los Angeles. Having a life-long interest in history, and being a long-time supporter of the Jersey Heritage Trust he announced in 2015 that he would be leaving the bulk of his fortune to the trust.