Another addition to the growing list of overpriced ABBA merchandise, this time with a distinct Aussie twist.
For the tidy sum of $372.09, you can be the owner of a replica Australian Qantas tour jacket from the ABBA The Museum shop.
As the listing notes, somewhat ungrammatically:
In 1977 ABBA landed in Australia, embarking on a 11 concert tour. Upon arrival Qantas Australian airlines presented the members and crew with a customized tour jacket.
Here’s a contemporary newspaper picture of ABBA wearing the jackets from the Sydney Morning Herald on 28 February 1977, a day after they landed in Australia:
Adding insult to injury, unlike the main ABBA online store, the Museum shop charges postage even on high-priced items. So you’ll be up for at least another $35.51 to actually get this down under.
Given the level of detail involved, this perhaps isn’t as big a rort as the infamous ABBA non-leather luggage tag or the more recent overpriced sweatshirt. Some Australian fans have sourced their own replica jackets, and if you aren’t a brilliant seamstress you might pay close to this to get one made.
Nonetheless, unless I win the lottery, this one is not going in my shopping cart. Perhaps the team could look into replicating the Australian tour luggage tags, which are on display in the museum, and which could be reproduced for under $20, I’d be thinking.
For ABBA coverage that’s more wallet-friendly, check out what the cheap seats at ABBA Voyage are like or the ABBA song titles cryptic puzzle.
Main image: SMH/Abba The Museum. Luggage tags picture: Angus Kidman
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