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Guinness World Records Museum memorabilia being auctioned

Guinness World Records Museum / Ripley Auctions
The Guinness World Records Museum in Niagara Falls, ON.

The museum was known for its lavish events featuring decorated world record holders and those aspiring to join that exclusive group. The Guinness World Records Museum in Niagara Falls, ON is now permanently closed, but bidders can grab a piece of the history that was preserved within its walls.

Credit Guinness World Records Museum / Ripley Auctions
World's tallest woman, Sandy Allen, receives the key to the city.

On June 16, 1978, Clifton Hill's landmark attraction opened with Henry LaMothe’s daring skydive from 40' high into 15” of water and the world's tallest woman, Sandy Allen. After 42 years of entertaining visitors with fire walkers, sword swallowers, knife throwers, basketball spinners, yo-yo tricksters, pancake flippers and other record holders, the museum permanently closed on Sept. 7.

The remains of that history is now up for auction: artifacts, sculpted characters, displays, exhibits and even smaller items like wall plaques. Bids are being taken for the online catalog compiled by Ripley Auctions until 5 p.m. ET Feb. 12.

Credit Guinness World Records Museum / Ripley Auctions
World record basketball spinner.

Where else could you purchase a bicycle, once the smallest in the world and ridden by Las Vegas performer Charly Charles (as of this writing, currently bid at $1,100).

For hockey fans, there's a 42”-tall Gordie Howe sculpted caricature with his longest hockey career record  card (currently at $800) and an autographed Wayne Gretzky jersey with his records card (currently at $2,000).

Perhaps a giant Atari Hercules pinball machine holding the record for the largest pinball game (currently at $2,900) is more interesting.

Even the giant pylon letters spelling "Guinness" (currently $30-$300) are being auctioned.

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