Musical Instruments & Memorabilia

The craftsmanship involved in the most prized musical instruments affects the quality of sound they produce as well as their appearance. For example, string instruments made by the Italian Stradivari family – and particularly Antonio Stradivari – in the 17th and 18th centuries are said to produce a sound that has never been replicated even in similar designs.

Those instruments created by Antonio during his ‘golden period’ (1700-1720) command particularly strong prices. More recent instruments, such as electric guitars played by pop music giants of the 20th century also pull in large prices – such as Jimi Hendrix’s Woodstock Stratocaster, which was bought for a Seattle museum for $2m.


Francois Nicole musical box

Music to vendor’s ears as Francois Nicole box doubles estimate at auction

03 October 2024

A rare example from a pioneer of modern musical boxes came for sale at Lawrences of Crewkerne

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US institution buys extraordinary harp-guitar

16 September 2024

The final day of Gardiner Houlgate’s latest guitar auction included a remarkable Victorian-era instrument: a rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid harp-guitar or ‘guitarpa’.

27.8.24 Webpv Would You Believe LP

Would you believe it? Rare Billy Nicholls LP appears at auction

27 August 2024

'Would You Believe' was geared up to be Britain’s response to 'Pet Sounds' by The Beach Boys but was instead shelved

John Lennon rounded spectacles

John Lennon's blue-tinted glasses bought by Uri Geller at Catherine Southon auction

07 August 2024

The glasses will now be displayed in the Uri Geller Museum in Tel Aviv

19.07.24 Webpv Rory Gallagher Guitar

Rory Gallagher’s 1961 Fender Stratocaster comes to Bonhams

23 July 2024

The Irish musician’s guitar collection, including his famous Fender Stratocaster, will appear at Bonhams in October

John Lennon rounded spectacles

Pair of John Lennon’s round glasses to go to auction

22 July 2024

The glasses were given to the vendor as a birthday gift in 1968 and will be sold by Catherine Southon Auctioneers

Sex Pistols God Save The Queen 2653NEDI 12 07 2024

‘Holy grail’ Sex Pistols single makes record

12 July 2024

Rare copy of the most censored record in British history sells at Wiltshire auction

Eric Clapton guitar

Guitars used for 1970s classics a hit at auction

14 June 2024

Eric Clapton’s 'Wonderful Tonight' and Ian Bairnson’s 'Wuthering Heights' guitars sell at separate sales

John Lennon guitar

John Lennon’s lost Help! guitar sets auction record

31 May 2024

Guitar belonging to the Beatle was rediscovered in an attic after 50 years

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Classic turntables on the right track at Olympia Auctions

27 May 2024

Two classic 1970s record turntables have been consigned to the 20th Century Design sale at Olympia Auctions on September 20.

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Dealers' news in brief including launch of a dealer platform and a new BADA member

27 May 2024

In dealer news this week, a Kings Road trader retires, a London dealer launches a new platform and a Leeds firm joins BADA

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Spectacular Steinway grand piano goes under the hammer at Nadeau's

27 May 2024

A spectacular 19th century Steinway concert grand piano sold for $80,000 (£64,000) at Nadeau’s (23% buyer’s premium).

Webpv Ian Bairnson Guitar 24 05 24

Ian Bairnson’s Wuthering Heights guitar appears at Wiltshire auction

24 May 2024

Ian Bairnson’s guitar featured in Kate Bush’s debut 1978 hit 'Wuthering Heights' is being offered at Gardiner Houlgate in Wiltshire.

Eric Clapton guitar

Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight guitar set to rock auction

16 May 2024

The guitar on which Clapton wrote 'Wonderful Tonight' carries an estimate of £300,000-400,000

John Lennon guitar

Long-lost John Lennon guitar recovered from an attic comes to auction

23 April 2024

John Lennon’s long-lost Framus 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar has been rediscovered and is coming to auction next month.

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Wurlitzer organ on a whirl in Staffordshire saleroom

15 April 2024

Around 28 American-built Wurlitzers were originally transported to Britain from 1925 until just before the Second World War.

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Rock on with a jukebox purchase

15 April 2024

Perfect to impress your friends and family – or annoy them – many vintage jukeboxes can be bought at auction for three or four figures depending on age, model and condition.

Johann Sebastian Bach manuscript

‘A testament to elegance’: Bach manuscript goes to Bodleian in lieu of inheritance tax

15 March 2024

A rare autograph manuscript by composer Johann Sebastian Bach has been acquired by the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries.

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Album helped Rolling Stones to go on tour, not fade away

11 March 2024

In 1969 the Rolling Stones were ready to go touring again after a gap of more than two years. Featuring a new guitarist, the 17-date tour in the US began on November 7.

Vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard

Mark Knopfler guitar auction makes more than £7m at Christie’s

01 February 2024

A six-hour sale of 122 lots from the collection of singer-songwriter and Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler took £7.01m (or £8.84m including buyer’s premium).

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