LONDON.- A dream opportunity that has captured the hearts and imaginations of fans, collectors and music aficionados around the globe, the gavel has gone down on the final lot in Christie's auction Marr's Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection. The 111 lot sale realised a total of £3,649,280 – more than tripling the estimate. A fitting tribute to the most influential guitarist of his generation, the auction welcomed registrants from 34 countries, with 81% new to Christie's, who bid passionately throughout, from the lowest priced lots offered through to the iconic guitars, resulting in the sale lasting over 5 hours.
Opening in style, following a video screened with Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher riffing on their favourites, fierce competition was evident from the outset with lot 1 selling for more than seven times the estimate. This was swiftly followed by Johnny Marr's 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo - for many fans, the guitar most strongly associated with Johnny Marr's melodic Smiths-era sound – which far exceeded the estimate selling for £358,400, after an intense bidding battle lasting more than 5 minutes (estimate: £60,000-80,000). The 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355 famously purchased for Marr on New York's 48th Street in early 1984 by Sire Records founder Seymour Stein, after Marr joked that The Smiths would sign to the label if Stein bought him a new guitar, sparked determined bidding ultimately realising £204,800 (estimate: £100,000-150,000). Maintaining momentum throughout, over five hours into the sale, lot 102, the Fender Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar, Comet Sparkle, 2017 – used to record the 'James Bond Theme' on Hans Zimmer's soundtrack for No Time To Die (2021) and on his performance with Billie Eilish for the song's debut at the Brits – sold for £46,080, after 11 bidders competed for almost 5 minutes (estimate: £8,000-12,000). 100% of the hammer price of 31 lots, spanning 10 guitars, 1980s concert posters and sales awards, will be split equally between The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society, UK registered charities (charity numbers 209617 and 269425).
Johnny Marr: “The auction has been a great experience and has exceeded all my expectations. I'd like to thank everyone who made bids and special thanks to Christie's for making it so memorable.”
Amelia Walker, Christie's Specialist Head of Private & Iconic Collections, London: “We are thrilled to have been able to partner with Johnny Marr for this landmark auction, the results of which reflect his groundbreaking and unparalleled musical influence. It has been an absolute honour to work with him and to share these amazing instruments and their stories with so many fans, collectors and fellow musicians around the world. We are also delighted to have been able to support Johnny in raising valuable funds for his chosen charities.”
Jo Stevenson, Head of Customer Experience at Guide Dogs: “We're incredibly grateful to Johnny Marr for choosing Guide Dogs as one of the charities benefitting from this auction. As a charity we're almost entirely funded by donations; this will go a long way in helping people with sight loss live the life they choose. We'd like to say a huge thank you to Johnny for his generosity and for sharing his impressive guitar collection with his fans.”
Hayley Butler, Head of Fundraising at the National Autistic Society: “We are delighted by the success of the auction. The amazing funds raised will support our mission to create a society that works for autistic people. We'd like to say an enormous thank you to Johnny, and to everyone who bid on these iconic guitars."
