The Artistry of The Guitar ...a landmark collection at auction

STUNNING OCTOBER 5 AUCTION PREVIEW EXHIBITION

Auction:
October 5, 2014
Session I: Lots 1 - 201 at 1PM (PST)
Session II: Lots 202 - 487 at 6PM (PST)

Public Preview:
October 3 & 4 - 10AM - 9PM(Each day)
October 5 - 10AM - 1PM(Auction Day)

Online Bidding:
www.liveauctioneers.com
www.invaluable.com
www.proxibid.com

Auction Location:
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85050

Absentee Bidding:
By e-mail, mail and telephone.
Arrangements for live telephone bidding
should be made with Guernsey’s at least
one week prior to auction.


Catalogue:
$30 per catalogue
$42 by Priority Mail in the U.S
$77 Internationally
(Click here to ORDER NOW!)


New York, NY– On October 5 at Phoenix's stunning Musical Instrument Museum, New York City-based auction house Guernsey’s will resurrect the aura of outlaw country megastar Waylon Jennings with the sale of many of his personal belongings. For the first time, Jennings’ legions of fans will have a chance to own a piece of musical history. The featured collection is being offered by country music legend Jessi Colter, Jennings’ wife of more than thirty years with whom he often shared the stage. The event will help bring attention to the important care provided at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

A driving force of the Outlaw Country movement that erupted in the ‘70s, Jennings rejected the conventions of country’s manufactured “Nashville Sound” and reached superstardom with his commanding baritone and stripped-down, updated honky tonk, which gave his music a gritty edge all its own. His style changed the face of country music and influenced countless musicians, as his songs consistently appeared on both Billboard’s country and pop charts throughout a career that spanned more than five decades. Jennings’ album Wanted! The Outlaws – featuring collaborations with his wife, Jessi Colter, Willie Nelson, and Tompall Glaser – peaked at No.1 on the charts and was the first country album to be certified platinum.

Throughout his career, Jennings worked with some of the music industry’s biggest names and was a member of The Highwaymen, the legendary country music supergroup comprised of four of the genre’s most well-known artists. Alongside Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson, “Ol’ Waymore” (as he was often called) toured extensively and helped transform country music from a more regional affair to the most popular musical genre in America. Early in his career, Jennings performed with Buddy Holly & The Crickets, who – at the time – were on an ambitious winter tour with early rock ‘n’ roll greats Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. It was during that tour when Jennings gave up his seat on the ill-fated flight that claimed the lives of all three headlining musicians, a date that was immortalized as “the day the music died.”

Don Was, premium producer of our generation with credits too many to number was quoted as saying, "I think Waylon reigns supreme as the innovator who incorporated rock and roll ethics and rock-and-roll rhythms into country music. We can trace him back to his early days with Buddy Holly to see where his rhythmic ideas come from, and I think we see his rebellious attitude manifested in most of the young stars in country music today. He rebelled against the rules, he sort of forsook the award show lifestyle and all the gimmickry and pageantry, simply for the purity of the music.”

Many items from fellow artists are brilliantly preserved in Jennings’ collection, which stands as a timetable and testament to his calling in life. Unpublished photographs, favorite stage outfits, instruments, music awards and stage equipment are among the countless treasures to be sold.

Of the auction's more than 2,000 items (offered in 500 auction lots), the spectacular centerpiece of the collection may well be the Ariel Cyclone motorcycle that originally belonged to Buddy Holly and later was presented to Jennings after Holly’s untimely passing. This classic British bike was purchased by Buddy in May 1958 following a whirlwind tour that helped cement his exalted place in the then young world of rock ‘n’ roll. For Jennings, the iconic machine - in original condition with only 4,000 miles on the odometer - served as a most treasured memory of his late friend and mentor.

Other important pieces in this remarkable collection include the original signed contract for the establishment of The Highwaymen, a handwritten letter to Jennings from John Lennon, Willie Nelson’s braids (which Willie himself famously cut off in 1983 to cheer on Jennings during his path to sobriety), and a custom pair of Nudie cowboy boots emblazoned with a white “H” for their original owner, Hank Williams Sr. Aside from items relating to fellow musicians are pieces that were important to Jennings on a deeper level, such as a pair of training gloves and a ring robe from his personal hero, Muhammad Ali, presented personally to Jennings before his fight in New Orleans against Leon Spinks. A prolific song writer, one of the most compelling sections of the event will be the presentation of Jennings’ hand-written lyrics and soulful thoughts for songs to come, penned in notebooks and on assorted pieces of paper of every description.

A fabulous auction catalogue destined to become a cherished keepsake, showcases the many items with detailed photographs and descriptions. It will be available in late August for $30 (plus $12 priority shipping within the US). To order a catalogue, visit www.guernseys.com.

The entire collection can be previewed at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, Arizona on October 3-4 from 10:00am to 9:00pm. The live auction will take place in two sessions on Sunday, October 5, beginning at 1:00pm. Although all are invited to attend the event in person, absentee bidding via telephone and internet can easily be arranged.

For additional information visit www.guernseys.com or contact Guernsey’s at 212-794-2280 or Waylon@guernseys.com. For media inquiries or to request an interview, please contact Jaclyn Todisco at 646-695-7053 or Jaclyn@rosengrouppr.com

Catalogue

If the memory of Waylon still thrills you… if the vision of the Highwaymen excites you no end… and, after all these years, if you still are in love with Jessi… then this Catalogue is for you! Printed in a very limited edition of only 2,000 copies, there is no doubt that this will rapidly become a collector's item. Countless photos of Waylon, Jessi, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Buddy Holly and friends all crammed into a beautifully designed book on high quality paper. People will be talking about this exciting Auction for years, but you'll treasure this Catalogue forever. Click here to order your Remembering Waylon copy.

Online Bidding

Those who are unable to attend the auction but would like to participate can view the full catalogue online, and leave advance absentee bids, as well as bid live as the sale is taking place at www.liveauctioneers.com, www.invaluable.com and www.proxibid.com.

Links

Interested bidders should also review the Terms & Conditions, as well as the Bidder Agreement form, and the Absentee Bid form.

Auction Results

Those interested in reviewing The Remembering Waylon auction results. Please Click here

Press

Guernsey's welcomes inquiries from the media regarding both past and upcoming events. PDF copies of the press release and links to media coverage of our Remembering Waylon Auction are available below:

Press Release (August 5, 2014)
Buddy Holly’s Beloved 1958 Ariel Cyclone Motorcycle Press Release (August 20, 2014)
"Guernsey's to host Waylon Jennings auction at MIM" (Arizona Republic, August 5, 2014)
"At a Waylon Jennings Sale: Hank’s Boots, Buddy’s Bike and Willie’s Hair" (NYTimes, August 6, 2014)
"Waylon Jennings Auction Spotlights Outlaws Famous Friends" (RollingStone.com, August 6, 2014)
"Waylon Jennings Auction Offers Rare Treasures" (CMT.com, August 6, 2014)
"2,000 Waylon Jennings Items / Famous Motorcycle to be Auctioned" (Saving Country Music, August 6, 2014)
"Waylon Jennings Auction To Be Held This Fall" (Eagle Country Online, August 6, 2014)
"Willie Nelson’s Hair and Buddy Holly’s Motorcycle Being Auctioned Off" (TIME.com, August 7, 2014)
"Willie Nelson's hair up for sale" (The Guardian, August 7, 2014)
"Willie Nelson's Braids Up For Auction" (WonderWall, August 7, 2014)
"Waylon Jennings Auction Includes Handwritten Letter to John Lennon, Willie Nelson’s Braids" (Radio.com, August 7, 2014)
"Waylon Jennings Memorabilia Auction Includes Buddy Holly Motorcycle, Willie Nelson's Hair and Muhammad Ali's Gloves" (Music Times, August 7, 2014)
"Willie Nelson's hair plaits for sale in auction of Waylon Jennings' belongings" (NME, August 7, 2014)
"Willie Nelson's Braids to be Auctioned Off in October" (Paste Magazine, August 7, 2014)
"Waylon Jennings auction items previewed" (San Francisco Chronicle, August 8, 2014)
"Upcoming Waylon Jennings estate auction will feature an actual pair of Willie Nelson’s trademark braids" (Houston Chronicle, August 8, 2014)
"Willie Nelson’s Braids Up for Grabs in Waylon Jennings Auction" (Taste of Country, August 8, 2014)
"Waylon Jennings Memorabilia Set For Auction" (AntiMusic, August 8, 2014)
"Waylon Jennings auction to include Willie Nelson's braids, Hank Williams cowboy boots, John Lennon letter" (Celebrity Café, August 8, 2014)


Following is a small sampling of the significant items to be sold:

Lot 89. The Highwayman Goes Gold, 1986

Lot 108. Nomination Plaque for “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”

Lot 119. Fender Custom Shop Waylon Jennings Telecaster

Lot 122. C. 1943 Martin Guitar 00021

Lot 162. Engraved ST Dupont Black Chinese Lacquer and Gold Lighter c. 1970s

Lot 167. Baume Mercier Watch

Lot 186. Porsche Design Sunglasses Worn in Publicity Photos

Lot 188. Porsche Design Sunglasses with Case

Lot 201. “Storms Never Last,” Bronze Bust

Lot 204. Original Black Crayon Drawing of Johnny Cash by William Nelson

Lot 216. Autographed Nashville Rebel
PosteR WITH ORIGINAL SHARKEY’S POSTER

Lot 217. Nashville Rebel Poster with Autograph

Lot 233. Hat Worn by Hank Williams Jr. During a Live Performance, 2010

Lot 234. Hank Williams’ Custom-made Nudie Cowboy Boots

Lot 235. Buddy Holly & Waylon Jennings’
1958 Ariel Cyclone motorcycle

Lot 239. Muhammad Ali’s Training gloves. USA #4304

Lot 240. Muhammad Ali’s Ring Robe Presented to Waylon Jennings by Ali in 1978

Lot 244. “The Buddy Holly Days”

Lot 248. Photo Display from Music Row Museum

Lot 249. Willie Nelson’s Trademark Braids, 1983

Lot 282. Partner Desk given to Jennings by Johnny Cash in 1985

Lot 283. Original Contract forming the Country Supergroup The Highwaymen, August 1989

Lot 286. Letter from John Lennon To Waylon

Lot 287. Waylon’s Favorite Pair of Lucchese Boots

Lot 289. Waylon’s Stage Chair

Lot 292A. Waylon Jennings’ Rolex Submariner Wristwatch

Lot 441. Costume Worn by Jennings in Sesame Street’s Follow That Bird