Mark Knopfler auctions guitar collection
British musician Mark Knopfler (74) is parting with his guitar collection. More than 120 guitars, amplifiers and other objects owned by the former guitarist and singer of Dire Straits ("Sultans Of Swing") will go under the hammer at London auction house Christie's on January 31.
"It's time to take some of these treasured six-string companions out of their cases so they can experience new adventures with new owners," Knopfler is quoted as saying in a statement from Christie's.
The highlight of the auction is a guitar from 1959, which the British musician played on the tours for his solo albums "Sailing To Philadelphia" (2001) and "Kill To Get Crimson" (2008) and on various studio recordings. The auction house is expecting bids of between 300,000 and 500,000 pounds (approx. 344,000 to 574,000 euros) for the rare "Vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard". A rare "1958 Gibson ES-335" could therefore fetch up to 90,000 pounds (approx. 103,000 euros).
Exciting for music fans, but still not quite as valuable, is a "Standard '59 Reissue" from 1983. Knopfler played it in the studio when he recorded the title track and the hit "Money For Nothing" for the legendary Dire Straits album "Brothers In Arms". He also used the guitar on the subsequent tour and at the "Live Aid" concert, where Dire Straits performed together with Sting. With an estimated value of between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds (approx. 11,500 to 17,200 euros), the instrument is comparatively inexpensive.
"You can be sure I'll be sad when they're gone," Mark Knopfler is quoted as saying, "but I've had wonderful times with them and I can't play them all."
A quarter of the total proceeds will be donated to charitable organizations. Prior to the auction in January, selected items will be on public display at Christie's branches in New York (December 9 to 13) and London (January 19 to 30, 2024).
- Interested music enthusiasts can view a selection of Mark Knopfler's guitar collection before the auction at Christie's branches in New York and London.
- The acclaimed music artist, Mark Knopfler, has chosen to auction off his extensive collection of guitars, amplifiers, and other music-related items at Christie's in London.
- Amidst the auction will be a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, famously played by Knopfler during the tours for his solo albums and various studio recordings, which is expected to fetch a bid between 300,000 and 500,000 pounds.
- Known as the frontman of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler will be parting with some of his cherished musical tools from the band's era, such as the guitar he used to record "Money For Nothing" and perform at the legendary Live Aid concert, which has a more modest estimated value of between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds.
Source: www.dpa.com
