Take That Memorabilia

Take That: A Brief History

Take That are among the most successful British pop acts since their formation in Manchester in 1990. The original five piece became the dominant boy band of the early nineties, outselling all British rivals during their initial run.

By the time they announced their split in 1996, the group had sold an estimated 25 to 30 million records worldwide. Two of their albums ranked among the bestselling UK releases of that decade, including their Greatest Hits compilation. Their domestic success was remarkable, though they never broke through in the American market in the same way.

The band also launched the solo career of Robbie Williams, who left in 1995 and went on to become one of the biggest selling British artists of all time. Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Jason Orange continued as a four piece until the following year.

The Reunion and Second Act

What makes Take That unusual is their successful return. A decade after splitting, the remaining four members reunited in 2006. Rather than a brief nostalgia tour, this second chapter exceeded many expectations commercially.

The reformed group produced bestselling albums and sold out arena tours across the UK. Robbie Williams rejoined temporarily for the Progress album and tour in 2010 and 2011, which became one of the fastest selling concert runs in British history at the time. Jason Orange later left in 2014, with the band continuing as a trio.

Much of their reunion audience consisted of the same fans who had supported them originally, now adults with disposable income and a fondness for the music of their teenage years.

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Two Eras of Memorabilia

This split history creates two distinct collecting periods. Items from the original 1990 to 1996 era tend to attract more interest from collectors, partly due to age and partly due to scarcity.

Original era collectables include tour programmes and ticket stubs from early concerts, official merchandise such as t shirts, posters and badges, magazine features and pull out posters from nineties pop publications, VHS releases and promotional materials, and signed photographs.

Condition matters considerably with vintage items. Posters that have been stored flat rather than folded, or programmes without creasing, will usually command higher prices.

Reunion era memorabilia from 2006 onwards is more readily available. Tour merchandise, limited edition vinyl pressings and promotional items from this period can still be found, though certain pieces from the Progress tour have become sought after due to the Robbie Williams involvement.

Buying and Selling

Online auction sites and specialist music memorabilia platforms remain the most common marketplaces. Prices vary widely depending on rarity, condition and whether items carry authentic signatures. eBay remains popular, though dedicated collector forums and Facebook groups often surface rarer pieces.

Authentication can be difficult with signed items. If spending significant amounts, consider using a reputable authentication service. Be cautious of sellers making claims about provenance without supporting evidence. Reverse image searches can help identify stock photos being passed off as unique items.

For those looking to sell, specialist music memorabilia dealers may offer valuations, though they will typically pay less than private sale prices to allow for their own margins. Auction houses that handle entertainment memorabilia can be worth approaching for higher value pieces.

The market for Take That items remains steady rather than spectacular. Dedicated fans continue to collect, and anniversary years or future reunion activity could stimulate renewed interest. Certain rare pieces from the original era will likely hold their value reasonably well over time.