Frank Zappa 200 Motels Actual Room Key From Estate UMRK - Gray Plastic Fob #206

Description

For sale is one motel room key. Not just any room key but one used on tour, saved by Frank Zappa, and then plooked out of the UMRK (Utility Muffin Research Kitchen, his home music studio which is now owned by Lady Gaga). Some years back I purchased a small collection of motel keys at auction from the Estate of Frank Zappa. For the 50th anniversary of the landmark "200 Motels" project I've decided to spread Frank Zappa's motel keys out to the world like seeds from a crackling, overripe pod. 10 keys were sold by his estate through Julien's Auctions, and 10 keys only. Here now each key is for sale individually - once they're gone they're gone.
You shall receive the exact single key shown with gray plastic fob showing room #206 on key! On the key it looks like the room number was stamped by the motel chain - the "2" came already engraved on the key (for second floor rooms) but then the "0" and "6" were hand-stamped twice (weakly then strongly) by the motel. There are some other small manufacturer key codes engraved into the key metal elsewhere, so "206" is the likely room number. Not sure what hotel/motel chain used these thick rectangular plastic fobs but perhaps with some effort it could be determined? What happened in room #206 on tour that night? Why did Frank keep the key and store it down in his lair?
This key is guaranteed to be genuine and in exactly the same condition as received from Julien's. Besides the one key, for provenance each buyer will receive a redacted photocopy of the invoice received from Julien's Auctions. The photo showing all the keys can be found in the auction catalog, was well published in the press during the lead up to the auction, and in fact was one of the few lots pictured in all the press releases. The bag, tag, and display card are not included, photo just shown here as proof of purchase.
Did you know the Zappa Estate recently released a 50th anniversary 200 Motels deluxe boxset that includes a souvenir motel style key fob? Might pair nicely if you buy one of our loose keys without a fob.
International orders are handled through the Ebay Global Shipping Program.