Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – A sprawling collection of signed film, music, and pop culture memorabilia is housed in the offices of Engines, Inc. in Jonesboro.
Lloyd Wofford, 75, and his wife, Linda, of nearly 40 years, began collecting signed albums, movie memorabilia, paintings, and more in the early 2000s. Wofford previously ran Engines, Inc., but his son Cameron took over around 10 years ago.
Wofford said it began when his wife began researching one-of-a-kind collector’s items. He said she got in contact with Florida-based American Royal Arts, a now-closed company that sold rock-n-roll memorabilia. From there, Wofford’s collection blossomed.
The first memorabilia bought for the collection was a signed snare drum head from members of the band Cream. While some items in the collection, which Wofford estimated to be over 100 pieces, are displayed across various walls and offices of Engines, Inc., even more is on display in his home.
“Everything we have is signed, some of it’s one of a kind,” Wofford explained.
He provided JRN with a tour of the collection housed at Engines, Inc.
“We keep it all on display so people can see it,” he said. “I don’t understand why some people have a huge art collection or whatever it is, and they have to put it up someplace, and people can’t see it. I mean, that’s the fun part: other people enjoying it.”
His collection includes records signed by various rock-n-roll bands, including Led Zeppelin, the Doors, and the Beatles. Numerous signed guitars appear in the Engines Inc. offices, including one signed by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Movie posters signed by cast members, such as “Star Wars,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Casablanca,” adorn the business’s walls.
Paintings depicting celebrities such as Elvis and Muhammad Ali, and painted by celebrity artist Joe Petruccio, are hung throughout the business. Paintings of other musicians, such as Jimi Hendrix, can be found as well. Signed magazine covers, boxing gloves signed by Ali, license plate props used in the 1973 film “American Graffiti,” animation cels from Disney movies, gold records, and sketches from “Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz’s private collection are all sprinkled among the music and movie memorabilia.
Wofford’s favorite piece in the collection, he said, was a signed photo of actor James Dean. Dean appeared in three major 1950s-era films: “Rebel Without a Cause,” “East of Eden,” and “Giant,” before dying in a car accident.
“If you look at him today, he just looks like he could just step out of the picture and be relevant today,” Wofford said of Dean’s photo. “That’s one of my favorite pieces.”
In addition to the memorabilia, Wofford has an extensive collection of drag racing trophies as well as some plane and military commemoratives.
Wofford said he views the collection at Engines, Inc. as a museum of sorts, adding that he enjoys seeing people admire the memorabilia. He estimated that around 200 people have come to view the collection.
“It’s just fun, people come in, and they say ‘Wow,’ and they’ll say, ‘Can I come back and bring my wife or my husband around?'” he said. “Anybody is welcome to come look anytime they want to. It’s like a free museum.”
Engines, Inc. is located at 5400 C.W. Post Road. It is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.