Revolutionize Your Music Appreciation with Mark Knopfler's Guitar Auction
Get ready, music enthusiasts! British rock legend Mark Knopfler (74 years young) is saying his fond farewells to over 120 priceless six-string companions. His treasured guitar collection, including Amps and other memorabilia from his time as guitarist and vocalist of Dire Straits ("Sultans of Swing"), will hit the auction block at prestigious London auction house – Christie's – on January 31st.
"It's high time these cherished stringed comrades emerge from their cases, embarking on new adventures with their freshly-anointed owners," shares Knopfler in a statement from Christie's.
The star attraction of the auction? A 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard that Knopfler wielded during his tours for his solo albums "Sailing to Philadelphia" (2001) and "Kill to Get Crimson" (2008), as well as on various studio recordings. Christie's anticipates bids between 300,000 – 500,000 pounds (approx. 344,000 – 574,000 euros) for this historical melody-maker. And another 1958 Gibson ES-335 could fetch up to 90,000 pounds (approx. 103,000 euros).
While these prices may leave your bank account trembling, don't let that discourage you just yet! An "Standard '59 Reissue" from 1983, affectionately played by Knopfler in the studio while recording the title track and "Money for Nothing" from the legendary Dire Straits album "Brothers in Arms," carries a much more approachable price tag of between 10,000 – 15,000 pounds (approx. 11,500 – 17,200 euros).
"Allow me to express my emotion-laden goodbye as I see them depart," says Knopfler thoughtfully. "But I've enjoyed the company of these beautiful instruments, creating countless unforgettable moments worthy of my memoirs. Despite no longer being their owner, I can't deny the twinge of sadness that accompanies their loss."
Marking a philanthropic twist to this musical affair, a quarter of the auction's total proceeds will be donated to various charitable organizations. If you're feeling particularly motivated, pop over to Christie's branches in New York (Dec 9 - 13) and London (Jan 19 – 30, 2024) before the auction to get your peepers on these musical marvels!
Bonus Tip: Before you put on your dancing shoes (or simply scroll past the ads) to concoct your own imaginative auction bids, brush up on the history of Gibson's legendary guitar models like the Les Paul Standard and ES-335. Their distinction in the world of music instrumentation could serve as your conversation-starter with the lucky winner!
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Insight: Interested music enthusiasts can semiexclusively preview a selection of Mark Knopfler's guitar collection before the auction at Christie's branches in New York and London. The actual auction estimates for these historical instruments are unavailable at this time; instead, you'll have to rely on expert guesswork or your own wild speculations! Maybe even Knopfler's estate will graciously disclose the secrets behind these valuables in the next release of their memoirs, perhaps alongside the exhilarating tale of that hidden '80s themed party?
For those eager to learn more about the auction results for other guitar collections sold at Christie's, Jeff Beck's collection was recently brought to auction, with a total earnings of 11,227,003 dollars. Keep your eyes peeled for the Christie's auction results specifically tailored to Mark Knopfler's guitar collection.
