By Susan Sliwicki

This 1957 Gibson Sunburst Archtop electric guitar sold for $16,132.50 at a Heritage Auction Galleries event.

A 1957 Gibson Sunburst Archtop electric guitar drew top honors at Heritage Auction Galleries’ July Signature Guitars and Instruments Auction.

The VG-condition guitar, complete with its original PAF pickups and hard case, brought $16,132.50, including the buyer’s premium. It was one of  527 lots sold for a two-day auction total of a little more than $1 million.

Despite a large cigarette burn on its head stock, a 1956 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst solid-body electric guitar in fair condition took second-place honors at $15,535. The guitar’s body and neck were dated August 1956, and its pots dated to late 1955.

Coming in third was an unmodified 1958 Fender Precision Sunburst electric bass guitar in VG condition, complete with its original hard case, mute and bridge cover, that sold for $12,547.50.

(Discover rock stars and their favorite guitars.)

Rounding out the Top 10 lots were:
• A 1965 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst solid-body electric guitar. All original with no modification or routing. VG condition; $11,950.

• A 1963 Rickenbacker 4001 Fireglo electric bass guitar. In addition to belt buckle wear to the finish on the back, the guitar’s pots were changed with 1990s-era parts. Fair condition; $11,352.50.

• 1962 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst electric bass guitar. No changes or modifications, but moderate weather checking overall and moderate to light fret wear. Good condition; $10,755.

• An all-original 1961 Gibson SG Les Paul cherry solid-body electric guitar. Finish has faded to an orangeish color. Minor weatherchecking. VG condition; $10,157.50.

• 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special TV yellow solid-body electric guitar. Minimal weather checking and play wear. No changed parts or modifications. VG condition; $9858.75.

• 1957 Martin D-28 natural acoustic guitar. Brazilian rosewood back and sides and original maple bridge plate. All original finish. Minor nicks, scratches and checking. VG condition; $9,858.75.

• 1930 Gibson HG-24 Sunburst acoustic guitar. Very rare model. Brazilian rosewood back and sides. Scarring around bridge footprint from former large bridge, assorted cracks. Preauction estimate was $6,000 and up. G condition; $9,560.

While electric and acoustic guitars comprised 80 percent of the auction lots, there were a few other instruments featured, including resonator guitars, lap steel guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles; amps, PAs and effects gear and one saxophone. Top lots in these other categories were:

• A bright, clean, VG-condition 1960s Selmer Mark VI brass alto saxophone. Despite some minor nicks and scratches and repair to a pad cover bracket, it brought $5,975.

• A 1926 Gibson Style 5 walnut satin tenor banjo in Excellent condition. The instrument has a bright, clean, original finish and features satin-finish, gold-plated and engraved metal parts. $4,481.25.

• A VG-condition 1930s Weissenborn 3 natural lap-steel guitar made of koa wood and still with its original finish. $3,883.75.

• A VG-condition 1951 Gibson F-12 Sunburst mandolin with a re-glued peghead scroll. $2,629.

• A high-end, 1930s Martin Style 3 natural ukulele in VG condition. Minor nicks and scratches, but the instrument is uncracked and it has a bright, original finish. Rare, deluxe original hard case included; $2,151.

• A 1927-34 National Style 2½ nickel-plated resonator guitar. Bright clean plating, very minor dents. Medium to heavy pick scratching in diamond pattern sound hole in treble side. Mismatched tuners. VG; $1,912.

• A good-condition Vox V1143 Beatle amplifier head and 4 X 12 cabinet. Clean, solid-state version with original foot switch and original silver Bulldog speakers. The lot was from the estate of Doug Fieger, who was lead singer of  The Knack. Good: $2,748.50.

Three autographed instruments were featured in the auction. A 2002 Fender Stratocaster Stevie Ray Vaughan model Sunburst solid-body electric guitar in nearly unplayed condition and signed by his brother, guitarist Jimmie Vaughan of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, sold for $1,105.75. A good-condition, all-original 1979 Gibson Flying V natural mahogany solid-body electric guitar signed on the pickguard by Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash brought $3,346. And a well-used, 1969 Fender Jazz electric bass guitar signed on front by Grammy winner Victor L. Wooten brought $1,553.50. The guitar’s body was stripped and refinished natural; its neck has severe dings and missing finish, and the tuners have been replaced. Poor condition: $1,553.50.

Heritage has entertainment-related auctions planned. For more information, visit www.ha.com.

By Susan Sliwicki

If you’ve got $15,000 kicking around, you’ve got enough to place the opening bid on still-sealed, first-state Beatles Butcher Cover on the block at Heritage Auction Galleries this week.

A still-sealed, first-state Beatles butcher cover is expected to bring $30,000 or more at auction.

The firm’s 2011 February Beverly Hill Signature Music & Entertainment Auction closes in two phases, according to lot number. Session 1 closes at 3 p.m. central Friday, Feb. 18; Session 2 closes at noon Saturday, Feb. 19.

“This isn’t just a nice copy, as rare as that would be — it’s still factory-sealed and easily the finest copy we’ve ever seen,” the lot’s description reads. Heritage offered the now-famous “Livingston Copy” in 2006 that sold for more than $38,000. This copy, which includes three “recall letters” documenting the history of the cover, is expected to bring $30,000 or more.

The copy of “Yesterday and Today” comes with a letter from Beatles expert Perry Cox, who also declares that it’s the finest copy he’s ever seen.

Heritage is offering a handful of other records and related recording displays, including Beatles framed displays featuring the stamper and single for “Thank You Girl” and “Twist and Shout” (each estimated at $2,500+); Elvis Presley’s framed personal copy of “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (estimated value $2,500+); an experimental picture disc for “Elvis Recorded Live at Madison Square Garden” (estimated value $1,200+); a 14-disc boxed set of Mobile Fidelity’s “The Beatles: The Collection” (estimated value $1,000+).

Leading the instrument offerings is a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard cherry sunburst electric guitar. It was marked as a factory second, probably due to an odd bindlng splice on the treble side of the neck at the first fret, according to the catalog. Complete with its original hardshell case, the guitar has an estimated value of  $100,000+. By mid-day Wednesday, bids had exceeded $75,000.

Other instruments include an unrestored rare 1931 Martin orchestra model acoustic guitar (estimated value $12,000+ but already drawing bids of $16,000); a good condition 1932 Martin shaded acoustic guitar ($4,000+, but bid at $12,500); a 1959 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst electric guitar ($18,000+); and a 1961 Rickenbacker 4001 Fireglo solid-body electric bass guitar ($4,000+, with bidding already at $7,000 by mid-day Feb. 16).

Fans of The King have plenty to choose from, too. An Elvis Presley-commissioned “Ten Outstanding Young Men of America award watch with an autographed program book and photo is being offered. Elvis and nine other men under 35 were honored by the United States Jaycees in 1970; the watches were customized by Memphis jeweler Harry Levitch. Estimated value: $18,000+. Also on the block: Elvis’ owned and worn black star sapphire ring ($15,000+).

On the Fab Four front, a Beatles band-signed promotional photo from “A Hard Day’s Night” is expected to bring $10,000 or more; bidding on that lot as of mid-day Wednesday had already reached $16,000. there are a few dozen lots including movie memorabilia, performance posters, handbills and ticket stubs and a Paul McCartney-signed Hofner bass guitar ($3,000+).

For more information or to check out lots that interest you, visit www.ha.com

A completely original 1959 Gibson Les Paul “Black Beauty” guitar, serial #91786, one of the most sought-after guitars on the planet, is the highlight of the fine vintage guitar collection being sold by Heritage Auction Galleries Beverly Hills as part of the company’s July 17 Signature® Music & Entertainment Memorabilia Auction. The guitar is expected to bring $47,000+.

“This gorgeous assortment of guitars is an exciting first for our department,” said Doug Norwine, Director of the Music and Entertainment Department at Heritage. “Vintage instruments, especially at this level of rarity and quality, are never offered at this volume. Without a doubt the 1959 Gibson Les Paul is the shining star of the show.”

The Gibson, affectionately called “The Black Beauty,” retains its original finish with the original PAF humbucker pickups. The body sports moderate nick and scratch wear, and even has belt buckle wear on the back, suggesting stand-up stage use, though it’s not currently known who may have played this guitar.

After the introduction of the Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar in 1952, Les Paul himself requested the instrument be offered in black for a more luxurious, elegant look. Paul noted that he wanted it to “look like a tuxedo.”

“The simple, yet sleek feel of the Black Beauty has never fallen out of popularity with musicians, collectors or fans,” said Norwine. “The quality and classic style of this instrument makes it easy to see why any guitar enthusiast, from weekend pickers to session players, to rock gods, would be proud to hold this work of art.”

The 1959 Black Beauty isn’t the only Les Paul black guitar in the auction. In fact, the collection boasts two additional, later, versions – both all-original. The first is a 1961 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black #1-0864 , while the next is a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black #78531 . The 1961 is estimated at $45,000+, while the 1957 is currently estimated at $47,000+.

Rounding off this stellar collection of near-mythic guitars are vintage Fender Stratocasters, Fender Telecasters, and Fender Jazzmasters , Martin acoustic guitars , Gretsch Guitars and Rickenbacker Bass & 345 model guitars .

Go to Heritage Auctions for more information.

The Music Memorabilia Show scheduled for Feb. 6 in New York City is highlighting memorabilia related to African-American performers in honor of Black History Month.

In addition to records of all kinds, the show will feature jazz concert posters for Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway and others, as well as sheet music from the early 1900s, photos of Diana Ross and The Supremes and much more.

The show will be held on the fourth floor of the Tip Top Shoe Building at 155 West 72nd Street.

Rock photographer Philip Kamin is selling a large portion of his photo collection, including copyrights, in Legendary Auctions’ February Premium sale running from Feb. 15 through Feb. 25. Kamin’s collection includes more than 30,000 images taken by Kamin himself or acquired during his career.

Photos included in this auction include shots of The Beatles’ historic concert at Shea Stadium (some of which were published in Goldmine #764, Nov. 6, 2009), early Jimi Hendrix, The Who with Keith Moon, Led Zeppelin with Jimmy Page, The Rolling Stones with Brian Jones, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and many others. Many of the images up for auction have never been published. More information is available at www.legendaryauctions.com.

Coldplay’s Web site reports that the band’s End of Decade Clearout Sale of Coldplay memorabilia and instruments on eBay raised £251,482 (approximately $407,000) for the Kids Company charity. Jon Buckland’s Thinline ’72 Telecaster guitar, his main guitar through the X&Y and Viva tours, brought the highest amount, selling for £15,000 (approximately $24,300).

Recent offerings of vintage guitars on eBay included a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop, which sold for $149,000. The guitar was in near-mint condition.

A 1953 Fender Telecaster Black Guard sold for $32,500. The guitar had been refretted but otherwise was completely original.

Electric guitars weren’t the only instruments fetching high prices recently. A vintage 1936 Gibson Nick Lucas Special acoustic guitar went for $27,762.62.

Finally, a 1960 Fender Stratocaster owned by Rocky Athas, current lead guitarist for John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers, sold for $19,5000.

In other recent memorabilia auctions on eBay, a Gibson Billy Gibbons “Pearly Gates” Les Paul went for $28,000. This is a reproduction of Gibbons’ favorite guitar (including scratches and dings), a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard. The first 50 of these instruments were signed and played by Billy Gibbons; this one is #47 and came with a certificate of authenticity and a signed and framed photo of Gibbons with his original Les Paul.

A framed set of the original molds for Elvis’ sunglasses, circa 1970, sold for $22,500. These were designed by optician Dennis Roberts, owner of Optique Boutique in California and Elvis’ personal optician. The piece includes six molds: one pair with the EP design and the other two pairs for the left and right side of the letters TCB with a lightning bolt. Three photographs in the frame show Elvis wearing the shades along with a letter and certificate of authenticity. A brass plaque at the bottom reads, “The Birthplace of Elvis Presley’s Eye Glasses & Sunglasses The Original EP and TCB Molds I Designed for Elvis c. Oct 1970.”

Another piece from Roberts’ collection is a Palm Springs police badge owned by Elvis, which sold for $9,995. The badge was given to Elvis by the Palm Springs Police Officers Association and differs from the normal badge given to actual police officers. The badge is in a frame along with an identifying plaque, letters authenticating the badge, and a membership card from the Palm Springs Police Officers Association identifying Elvis A. Presley as a regular member.

A 14-inch promo display for Beatles car mascot dolls sold for $8,000. The display shows the heads of the original 14-inch nodding-head dolls made in 1964, which were on dispay to promote smaller versions on sale. According to the seller, the retail store owner had displayed the full dolls in his store but had discarded the bodies because of damage to the bases and instruments.

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