Johnny Marr to Auction Iconic Guitar Collection at Christie’s
Johnny Marr’s legendary guitars are set to go under the hammer this summer. In a landmark sale taking place at Christie’s in London on Sept. 17, the influential musician is auctioning a vast collection of instruments that have helped define some of the most significant British indie music of the past four decades.
Titled Marr’s Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection—a nod to his 2023 coffee table book of the same name—the auction will feature approximately 80 guitars, alongside various amplifiers and touring equipment. The collection serves as a sonic timeline of Marr’s career, tracing his journey from his breakthrough as a co-founder of the seminal Manchester group The Smiths through to his extensive post-band collaborations and solo work.
A Legacy of Sound
A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the National Autistic Society. Before the auction, selected instruments will be exhibited for public view in New York from June 25 to July 1, before traveling to London.
Among the highlights is Marr’s 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo, which was played on early The Smiths hits including “This Charming Man” and “What Difference Does It Make?” With an estimated value of up to £80,000 ($106,000), the instrument carries significant history; it was famously lent by Marr to Noel Gallagher for the recording sessions of Oasis’ Definitely Maybe and appears on the cover of the band’s 1994 debut single, “Supersonic.”
Also featured is a 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, a signature instrument during the mid-1980s that was purchased for him by Sire Records founder Seymour Stein. This guitar was central to the writing of The Smiths’ “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” and is estimated to fetch up to £150,000 ($199,000).
Reflecting on a Career
“I have loved guitars for as long as I can remember, since the first one I got at the age of five. Each guitar I have acquired over the past 50 years or so has helped me evolve as a musician, bringing new songs, new sounds and techniques,” Marr said in a statement. “It’s bittersweet to be parting with these guitars but I want them to go to new homes and new people who will love them as much as I have.”
Several of these instruments were recently utilized in the recording of Marr’s upcoming solo album, The Age of Everything, scheduled for release on Oct. 2. He plans to support the new record with a headline U.K. and European tour this fall, culminating in his largest solo show to date at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on Oct. 24.
Amelia Walker, Christie’s specialist head of private and iconic collections, noted the cultural weight of the sale: “When Johnny Marr co-founded The Smiths at the age of 18, the music world had never before heard such a unique and melodic style of guitar playing. These are the tools of a guitarist who continually strives to innovate.”
Following his tenure with The Smiths, Marr’s career has seen him collaborate with a diverse array of acts, including The Pretenders, Electronic, Modest Mouse, and The Cribs. In recent years, he has continued to expand his reach, collaborating with artists such as Billie Eilish and Gorillaz.
