Vintage and Rare American Guitar Auction
Published September 28th, 2008
Skinner Auctioneers has announced that its semi-annual Fine Musical Instruments auction will be held on October 12th at noon in the Boston gallery.
Included in the auction is a collection of vintage and rare American guitars. Expected to draw great interest is a 1951-52 Fender Telecaster (lot 29; est. $22/30,000), signed by Tadeo Gomez on Oct 28, 1951 – his 49th birthday. Gomez was a legendary craftsman and neck carver in the early years of Fender Electric Instruments, and his work is the most highly sought after of all in the Fender line. Featuring its original “poodle case”, it bears the serial number stamp 1040.
Another featured guitar is a 1956 Fender Stratocaster (lot 17, est. $20/30,000) with a lightweight ash body and blonde custom finish. The piece is in very good condition with a “soft V-profile neck, great sound, and its original “tweed” case. A 1955 Gibson Les Paul “Goldtop” (lot 18, est. $30/40,000) in almost un-played condition, from the original owner’s family, is another sale highlight.
Fine Gibson archtop guitars include a 1938 Gibson ES-150 (lot 33, est. $3,5/5,000) with “Charlie Christian” pickup; a 1957 L-5 CES (lot 31, est. $11/16,000) in excellent condition; and a 1958 ES-175 (lot 32, est. $6/8,000) with natural finish. Also featured is an “Excel” model cutaway archtop guitar from 1955 by John D’Angelico (lot 11, est. $8/10,000); interesting rarities by the Danelectro and Gretch companies; and a 1922 00-42 flat top guitar by Martin (lot 12, est. $10/15,000) with rosewood back and sides and beautiful abalone inlay.
Previews and Catalog Information
Previews for the auction will be held on October 10th from 12 to 5 p.m., October 11th from 10:30 to 5 p.m. and on October 12th from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Illustrated catalog #2428 is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or visit www.skinnerinc.com.
