CHRISTIE’S TO AUCTION GUITARS FROM THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF MUSIC LEGEND MARK KNOPFLER

Highlights will tour to New York in December ahead of the London auction on 31 January 2024

25% OF THE TOTAL HAMMER PRICE WILL BE DIVIDED EQUALLY AND DONATED TO THE BRITISH RED CROSS, TUSK AND BRAVE HEARTS OF THE NORTH EAST

London – Breaking news for music aficionados, fans and collectors around the globe: Christie’s will auction guitars from the personal collection of music legend Mark Knopfler, the celebrated singer-songwriter, guitar hero and frontman of the iconic British band, Dire Straits, on 31 January 2024 in London. Presenting fans with more than 120 guitars and amps, the collection spans the 50-year career of one of the world’s most influential musicians and chronicles the diverse array of guitars Knopfler has used to write, record and perform an extensive catalogue of compositions for Dire Straits, as well as multiple successful solo albums and film soundtracks. Renowned for his distinct and virtuoso finger-picking style, Knopfler chose each instrument for its individual sound and tone, assembling a wide-ranging archive which includes iconic and world-famous names such as Fender, Gibson, Gretsch and Martin alongside custom-built models by Rudy Pensa and John Suhr, and bespoke examples crafted by luthiers from across the globe. 25% of the total hammer price will be divided equally and donated to charities that Knopfler has supported for many years: The British Red Cross, Tusk and Brave Hearts of the North East. Estimates range from £300 to £500,000, providing opportunities for fans and collectors to participate at many different levels. Highlights will be on public view in New York between 9 to 13 December, followed by the full collection being on show in the pre-sale exhibition at Christie’s headquarters in London, from 19 to 30 January 2024.

Mark Knopfler: “Wherever I go I’m still crossing streets to look at guitars in the windows of music shops. I’ve done that since I was a little kid. I’ve lived with this love affair for over sixty years. That has meant a passion for all kinds of guitars: the impossible dreams and plenty of the less expensive ones too. As a career in music made it possible for me to realise some of those dreams, guitars of all shapes and sizes began to appear. Over the years I bought a range of acoustics and electrics. For whatever reason, a collection of beauties soon began to grow and a pretty sizeable rack of instruments would be on hand, either in the studio or in the wings of concert stages on tour. I’ve always had one or two of these lovely things to pick up and play at home when writing songs between tours, or in whatever hotel or dressing room when on the road.

It’s time to take some of these treasured six-string companions out of their cases and leave them in the care of Christie’s to allow them to have new adventures with new owners. You can be sure I’ll be sad to see them go but we’ve had wonderful times together and I can’t play them all. To you fellow players, enthusiasts and collectors, I wish you many good times with these old friends of mine.”

Amelia Walker, Christie’s Specialist Head of Private and Iconic Collections, London: “We are thrilled to be offering this incredible group of guitars for sale, including so many that played a key role in the musical upbringing of generations of fans, young and old, around the world. From the ‘Money For Nothing’ Les Paul, to the Fender MK Signature Strat, these instruments tell the story of Mark Knopfler’s incredible career, including many that were played on his upcoming album, due for release in 2024. The Mark Knopfler Guitar Collection celebrates one of the greatest talents in British music and his position in the pantheon of guitar gods.”

COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS:
Leading the collection is Mark Knopfler’s 1959 Vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard, which he used for performances on the Sailing To Philadelphia Tour in 2001 and the Kill To Get Crimson Tour in 2008, as well as several recordings (estimate: £300,000-500,000, illustrated top right). Having written, recorded and performed on a 1983 Les Paul Standard ’59 Reissue at the height of Dire Straits’ fame (illustrated top left), he treated himself to the real deal in the 1990s, when success enabled him to purchase two vintage Les Pauls, a 1958 and this 1959. It is a true collector’s instrument, with a beautifully faded cherry-red sunburst finish.

Another important vintage guitar is Knopfler’s 1958 Gibson ES-335 which offers collectors an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a 'blonde' ES-335 with an unbound fingerboard (estimate: £60,000-90,000). One of no more than an estimated 50 that left the Gibson factory during the first year of production of the first semi-hollowbody electric guitar, it is one of three vintage Gibson ES-335s that Mark purchased from Rudy Pensa in the late 1990s, two of which are included in this sale.

Knopfler’s 1983 Les Paul Standard ’59 Reissue was used to record both the title track and ‘Money For Nothing’ on Dire Straits’ 1985 album Brothers In Arms, as well as performances on the subsequent tour, and most famously on stage at Live Aid in 1985 when Dire Straits performed ‘Money For Nothing’ with Sting on vocals (estimate: £10,000-15,000, illustrated top left).