BEVERLY HILLS, CA.- A gorgeous 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard Cherry Sunburst electric guitar, one of the most sought-after modern stringed instrumented ever made, proved its worth at $131,450 to lead
Heritage Auctions' $1,682,831 Signature(r) Music & Entertainment Auction, Feb. 20. All prices include 19.5% Buyer's Premium.
"The 1960 'burst is exceptional even by Les Paul's standards," said Jonas Aronson, Director of Vintage Guitars at Heritage. "It's got everything a collector could want - name, style and a beautiful sound - and the price it realized is reflective of that quality."
The subject of much pre-auction buzz, a Factory-sealed First State Beatles Yesterday and Today "Butcher Cover" did not disappoint on its way to becoming one of the most expensive pieces of vinyl in existence by bringing $26,290 when it came on the block.
"To serious collectors of both vintage vinyl and Beatles memorabilia, this is pretty much the holy grail," said Garry Shrum, Consignment Director at Heritage. "This was a very smart purchase by a serious collector. There are not likely many, if even a single better copy, of this legendary album anywhere."
Acoustic guitars proved an important part of the stringed instruments section of the auction, and no one name more so than that of C.F. Martin, as a pair of vintage Martin acoustic guitars combined for almost $75,000, with a 1931 Martin OM-28 Natural acoustic orchestra model, #47403, in its original state, with a $46,306 price realized, followed by a striking 1937 Martin-D-18 Sunburst Acoustic, #68135, more than doubled its pre-auction estimate to finish the day at $28,680.
The name of Fender was well-represented in the auction, with two classic examples performing well beyond their pre-auction estimates. A 1957 Stratocaster Sunburst solid body electric guitar, #22744, in all original condition, brought $21,510 against a $5,000+ estimate, while a 1959 Fender Telecaster Blonde solid body electric guitar, #38272, brought $20,913, against a $6,000+ estimate.
In what was the sleeper of the guitar auction, a fantastic 1961 Rickenbacker 4001 Fireglo Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar, #AK685 - a gorgeous example of this famous model, that can be traced definitively back to the first month of the first year of Fireglo production, brought $19,120, almost five times its pre-auction estimate.
It was classic Rock 'n' Roll memorabilia the rest of the way, with a Beatles band-signed A Hard Day's Night promotional photo, the only known autographed copy of this famous image, bringing in an impressive $19,120 from a determined bidder. A brightly colored purple Jimi Hendrix-owned floral shirt, originally purchased from Jimi's renowned manager Chas Chandler in August 1994, and subsequently auctioned at Fraser's, London, brought $17,925.
The name of Elvis Presley is always a commanding presence in Heritage Music & Entertainment auctions, and The King was well-represented in Beverly Hills when two lots with Elvis provenance proved popular with collectors. An Elvis-commissioned Ten Outstanding Young Men of America Award Watch with autographed program book and photo (1971), consigned by the young man it was originally presented to, brought $14,340. Personal jewelry from The King continued its strong run in Heritage events when an Elvis' Black Star Sapphire Ring, owned and worn by great musician, brought $13,145.
Rock 'n' Roll royalty was also very well represented by a superb 1957 Buddy Holly signed Royal Theatre contract, a rare instance of Buddy actually signing a contract himself - they were usually signed Holly's manager - and if such an important Rock 'n' Roll relic surviving, brought $11,950 from a determined bidder.
