Beatles' 1964 Gibson SG and Keith Richards' 1959 Sunburst Les Paul: Results from Christie's Auction

by Tom Watson

NEW YORK CITY (Manhattan). December 17, 2004. The results are in from Christie's "Rock & Roll and Entertainment Memorabilia" auction held today. The 1964 Gibson SG once owned by George Harrison and played by both Harrison and John Lennon, brought $567,500 (including the buyer's premium), while a 1959 Sunburst Les Paul previously owned and played by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones failed to meet the auction reserve and didn't sell.

2004 will be a tough year to top as far as collectible electric guitars go. In addition to today's auction, other guitars to hit the block this year included noteworthy pieces from Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jimi Hendrix. The sale of Clapton's Fender Stratocaster known as "Blackie" brought $959,500 (including the buyer's premium) in June's Crossroads auction at Christie's, and set a new record for the sale of an electric guitar at auction, beating the prior record set in 2002 by the sale of Jerry Garcia's guitar, "Tiger" by $2,000.

George Harrison/Beatles 1964 Gibson SG

Auction Lot Number: 362
Estimate: Estimate On Request [see below]
Final Auction price: $567,500 (including buyer's premium)

Although Christie's did not publicly provide a pre-auction estimate of value for the SG, Darren Julien, whose auction house, Julien's, co-sponsored today's auction at Christie's, believed the guitar itself was worth $200,000, and due to its ownership pedigree and player history had a presale value of $600,000.

Christie's lot description:

A 1964 Gibson SG Standard guitar, Serial No. 227666, translucent cherry finish, double cutaway solid body, Schaller machine heads, 22 fret fingerboard with mother-of-pearl inlays, Gibson logo inlayed to head, duel humbucker pickups, four rotary controls, selector switch, Gibson/Maestro Varitone wrap around tail piece and whammy bar, together with original hardshell case and six original Kluson tuners. Played by George Harrison from 1966 through 1969 during various Beatles appearances and recording sessions which include the last official United Kingdom concert at the NME Poll Winners Concert and during the Revolver recording session. It was also used by Harrison in two Beatles films used to promote "Paperback Writer" and "Rain" in 1966 and later played by John Lennon during the White Album sessions in 1969. Also present is a thirty-nine page custom binder which includes excellent documentation, featuring several reproduction images of Harrison playing the guitar with The Beatles as well as documentation from the book Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four's Instruments, from Stage to Studio (Andy Babiuk) and two letters verifying the guitar's authenticity. Together with additional related documents of the guitars subsequent owner, Pete Ham of Badfinger, to whom Harrison bestowed the guitar to in 1969. In 2002, the guitar was loaned to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio where it has been on display ever since.

Keith Richards 1959 Gibson Les Paul

Auction Lot Number: 267
Estimate: Estimate On Request [see below]
Final Auction price: Unsold

While Christie's didn't publicly provide a pre-auction estimate of value, according to Newsday, the pre-sale value was $400,000.

Although a 1959 Les Paul 'Burst is collectible in its own right, (non-celebrity specimens often sell for more than $100,000), there's no doubt that the value of this guitar was signficantly increased by Richards' ownership.

Christie's lot description:

A 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar, Serial No. 93182, Sunburst finish, single cutaway body, Maple top, cherry finish sides and back in Honduras Mahogany, Grover tuners, 22 fret Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard with mother-of-pearl inlays, Gibson logo inlayed to head, one Humbucking "patent applied for" zebra rythym pickup, one Humbucking "patent applied for" double black lead pickup, Gibson ABR1 Tuneomatic bridge, four rotary controls, selector switch, Bigsby tailpiece, together with 1960s Les Paul hardshell case. Played by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones on the Ed Sullivan Show (1964/1965), Ready Steady Go! (1964) and during various Rolling Stones appearances from the same era. Also played by Mick Jagger during Beggar's Banquet recording sessions. Additionally present are two certificates of authenticity (facsimile copies) from guitar specialists Tony Bacon and Clive Brown as well as four 8 by 10 inch images of Richards playing the guitar and two of Mick Jagger playing the guitar and additional related documents.