Julien's mammoth memorabilia auctions last weekend, December 1-4, showcased a number of tried and trusted 'collectibles blue chips' including Marilyn Monroe and Madonna.
But an emerging star also made her presence felt at the auction. Since the release of her debut album, The Fame Monster, in 2008, Lady GaGa has become a firmly-established pop star.
 Lady GaGa's photoshoot-worn |
In the past, we've hesitated in recommending Lady GaGa's memorabilia items as long-term assets. After all, to what extent can we guarantee that GaGa - real name Stefani Germanotta - has a long career and legacy ahead of her in today's fickle pop world?
Bidders in Julien's Beverly Hills sale clearly had no such reservations. Among the auctioned GaGa lots was a photoshoot-worn costume which brought $31,250.
Also popular was the prop gun used in GaGa's recent video for her hit single "Born This Way". It sold for $7,680.
One thing's for sure: thanks to the internet, rolling tabloid news and other modern factors, Lady GaGa has a global marketing clout that Madonna (to whom she is often compared) couldn't have matched in the earliest years of her career.
And it now seems that Lady's GaGa's ubiquity has translated to auction sales. Collectors and fans drawn by Ms Germanotta's music, celebrity presence and performance art are putting their money where their passion is.
Passion isn't the only factor - but also rarity. Until now, Lady GaGa has traded on her highly cultivated image and mystique. As a result, it is quite difficult to find items which have been autographed by the singer.
GaGa signed photographs that we've spotted on the markets include an example priced at £375. This is quite a lot more than most of her pop contemporaries.
Previously, four colour polaroids featuring GaGa and taken by photographer Nobuyoshi Araki were sold by Phillips de Pury & Co for £4,750 in 2010. Well over their £1,800-2,500 estimate.
And Stefani Germanotta isn't the only current pop star who's having a big impact on the collectibles markets. Another is teen idol Justin Bieber.
Justin Bieber's hair has proven to be among our biggest unique music memorabilia sellers, here at Paul Fraser Collectibles.
 Justin Bieber's hair is among Paul Fraser Collectibles' biggest memorabilia sellers |
The Bieber hairs for sale in our stock date to the singer's famous haircut in March 2011, marking his switch from bowl-cutted pre-teen to teen sensation. His hair has since proven to be a big hit with music memorabilia collectors and 'Beliebers' worldwide.
Earlier this year, the US's Golden Palace Casino paid $40,668 for a clump of Bieber's hair - one of the highest amounts ever paid for a piece of celebrity hair, a hobby which can be traced back to Victorian times.
So, could Lady GaGa and Justin Bieber be tomorrow's answer to Madonna and Michael Jackson? Only time will tell. Watch this space for more news on their collectibles.
