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Estimated prices pulverized – bidders scramble for Knopfler guitars
February 1, 2024, 6:35 p.m
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Mark Knopfler is undisputedly one of the best guitarists in music history. His band Dire Straits sold millions of albums worldwide. As a solo artist, the Brit continued his success seamlessly. Some of his musical instruments now went under the hammer – and raised historic amounts.
Dire Straits founder Mark Knopfler’s guitar collection fetched more than ten million euros at an auction in London. Some of the approximately 120 instruments changed hands for record sums at the traditional auction house Christie’s. As expected, a rare 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard was the highlight of the auction. The electric guitar, which Knopfler purchased in 1999, was sold for the equivalent of just under 813,000 euros (£693,000). This significantly exceeded the previous world record of around 540,000 euros.
“I’m so happy that these beloved instruments are finding new people to play them and new songs,” the 74-year-old Knopfler said at the end of the six-hour auction via Christie’s, “and that they are bringing in money for foundations that support me mean a lot.” The guitarist and singer had announced in advance that he would donate a quarter of the amount of the hammer prices. Knopfler was not present at the auction, which was also broadcast live. “I’ll be fine,” the musician, who released his new studio album “One Deep River” in April, joked in advance.
For an electric guitar that Knopfler used in the 1980s when recording the Dire Straits world hits “Money For Nothing” and “Brothers In Arms” and played at the legendary “Live Aid” concert at Wembley Stadium, the estimated price of up to 17,000 euros was quickly exceeded. In the end, the hammer fell on the new edition of the “Gibson Les Paul Standard ’59” from 1983 spectacular around 694,000 euros (592,000 pounds).
Christie’s employees’ tribute to Knopfler – headband and sweatband.
(Photo: picture alliance/dpa/Christie’s)
A Pensa-Suhr electric guitar, built in 1988, for which bids of up to 9,300 euros were expected, went under the hammer for the equivalent of 590,000 euros (504,000 pounds) – more than ten times the previous world record. The instrument was Knopfler’s most used electric guitar between 1988 and 1992. Among other things, he played it when he headlined the concert for Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday with Dire Straits in 1988.
Bidders from over 60 countries caused a stir in the auction room when they raised bids for a Schecter guitar from 1983 to around 488,000 euros (415,800 pounds) – more than a hundred times the estimated price and also a world record. The red electric guitar is on the 1985 Dire Straits hit “Walk Of Life“. Knopfler had also used them intensively on the band’s successful “Brothers In Arms” tour.
The finale was Item 123, a “Gibson Les Paul Gold Top” that had been signed by countless musicians, including Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Brian May (Queen) and Slash (Guns N’ Roses). . Hammer price: around 472,000 euros (403,200 pounds). 100 percent of the proceeds from the instrument benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust, whose patron is Mark Knopfler.
At the end of the auction marathon, Christie’s employees showed humor and pulled red sweatbands over their heads and wrists, just like Knopfler had worn in the 80s.