Artistry of the Guitar

Every so often, a remarkable collection is sold at auction. In this way, paintings by Picasso, historic racing Ferraris and other forms of the most sought after items get dispersed to passionate collectors seeking the rarest and best. Such is the case with Guernsey's April 2 & 3 Auction of a stunningly beautiful collection of the finest guitars. Assembled by a gentleman over a period of four decades, there is little in the way of precedent when looking for a comparison to the extraordinary instruments that soon will be sold. The event will be held live at New York City's stylish Bohemian National Center with multiple accommodations for those unable to attend.

Imagine a broad array - nearly three hundred instruments in all - of historic Martin, Gibson, Epiphone, Gretsch, Washburn, Stromberg and Larson Brothers guitars. Bid on treasures created by such talented craftsmen as Torres, D'Angelico and Simplicio. The fifty extraordinary Martins include an 1840s Martin & Coupa, various OM-28, F-9, 00-45, D-28, and D-45 models and the rarest of the rare, a 1930 OM-45 Deluxe. Of the many Gibsons are Super 400s, SJ-200s, L-5s, Nick Lucas models and a one-of-a-kind Super 400 Flattop. The dozen D'Angelicos include New Yorkers, Excels, a Special, a Style A and a mandolin. And then there are instruments made noteworthy by the legendary musicians who played them. But this is just a taste, a sampling of the excitement in store for those who take part in what certainly will be a memorable event.

Guernsey's has produced a comprehensive, handsomely photographed catalogue documenting the many instruments in the auction. Several noted experts have provided detailed descriptions. To acquire the auction book and receive more complete details about this important auction, please contact Guernseys.

In February, 2014, Guernsey's employed independent expert Fred Oster to view each of the instruments in the upcoming April 2 & 3 Auction for the purpose of determining which, if any, had any noteworthy condition issues. Mr. Oster is highly regarded for his experience with fine instruments, was the former Dept. Head of Musical Instruments for Christie's in New York and regularly appears on the Antiques Roadshow where he assesses guitars. He, along with his associate, Catherine Jacobs, spent considerable time viewing each of the auction instruments. The team's overall impression was that the vast majority of these beautiful instruments were in the condition one would hope to find them in after years of proper care. In most instances they exhibit a fine and appropriate patina. As such, in the opinion of these experts, condition comments for many of the instruments were unnecessary. Where comments were deemed appropriate, they appear here.

A beautifully designed catalogue will be available in an extremely limited edition. Click here to order your Artistry of the Guitar copy.

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.

Those intererested in bidding at The Artistry of The Guitar auction should review the Auction Estimates.

All top bidders can review their offers by clicking on the final Post Auction Offers list.

Those interested in reviewing The Artistry of the Guitar results. Please Click here

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

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 (April 2 & 3, 2014)
• "A Collection of 250 remarkable acoustic guitars goes on the auction block" (The Daily Beast, April 1, 2014)
• "1930 Martin guitar to be auctioned in New York City - to tune of $2 Million" (Daily News, April 1, 2014)
• "Rock fans amped up for iconic guitar auction" (New York Post, March 30, 2014)
• "Guernsey's Artistry of the Guitar Auction Starts April 2" (Robb Report, March 25, 2014)
• "Vintage Guitars Strike a Major Chord for Collectors" (Bloomberg TV, March 21, 2014)
• "Inside Guernsey's vintage guitar auction" (CNN Money, March 11, 2014)
• "'Holy Grail' Guitars to Be Auctioned" (MWN, March 7, 2014)
• "Holy grail of guitars among those in NY auction" (Orange County Register, March 7, 2014)
• "World's Rarest Guitars Auction" (CNBC, February 26, 2014)
• "Vintage Guitar Sale" (New York Times, February 21, 2014)
• "Strings attached: Guitar auction expected to rake in big bucks" (Crain's New York, February 20, 2014)

"Vintage Guitars Strike a Major Chord for Collectors", Bloomberg TV

"'Holy Grail' Guitars to Be Auctioned", Associated Press

"World's Rarest Guitars Auction", CNBC