The collection includes some of the star's personal effects

The items being auctioned in Montrose, Angus, this weekend include records, signed photographs and personal effects including Crosby's pipe.

They belong to a Fife man who is selling his collection before moving into a retirement home.

A Taylor's Auction House spokesman said it was one of the most comprehensive collections he had ever seen.

You name it, if it's got Bing's name on it, we've got it Jonathan Taylor Taylor's Auction House

A lot of interest has already been shown in the items, although no-one has been prepared to estimate what the collection might fetch.

Taylor's spokesman, Jonathan Taylor, said: "There is a staggering amount of stuff, all from the one collector."

"You name it, if it's got Bing's name on it, we've got it."

During his career, Crosby made 60 films and had hundreds of hit records around the world.

The record collection being sold on Saturday runs into thousands, including White Christmas, as well as many rarities.

Fan club

Some of the more unusual items going under the hammer include Crosby's pipe, an invitation to a golf tournament organised by the star himself and a signed photograph, which he is understood to have handed over while passing through Fife on a golf trip.

Mr Taylor said the seller had been a member of Bing Crosby's fan club for years.

"When you see the amount of stuff he has bought it's no wonder Bing felt he owed him a thank-you," he said.

Crosby's brother Larry reportedly had an eye for marketing and encouraged his brother to give his name to a wide range of products, including board games, coffee makers and colouring books.

Internet bidding

Crosby's image was also used to promote products such as Pepsodent toothpaste, Chesterfield cigarettes and Kraft cheese.

The star died in 1977 at the age of 73.

Staff at the auction house have been playing some of his hits in the sale room to get customers in the mood.

Mr Taylor is expecting the biggest spenders to bid on the internet.

The auction house will also be selling other musical memorabilia from the same collection, including a life-size cardboard cut-out of Dame Vera Lynn and collections of 1960s and 70s records.

The sale begins at 1030 BST on Saturday.