Dire Straits Mark Knopfler Guitar Collection Auction – DW – 11/21/2023

More than 120 guitars and amplifiers from the personal collection of veteran musician Mark Knopfler, the iconic leader of the Dire Straits group, will go up for auction on January 31 in London, the auction house announced on Tuesday. Christy.

The instruments for sale date back nearly 50 years, and Knopfler has used them to write, record and perform the group’s extensive catalog of compositions as well as record his multiple solo albums and soundtracks.

In a statement issued today by the auction house, Christie’s indicates that the musician chose each guitar for its unique sound, including brands such as Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, and Martin, as well as other models made by Argentinian Rudy Pensa and John Suhr. .

Preview guitars

25% of the total price raised at this auction will be divided equally and donated to the charities that Knopfler has supported for many years: British Red Cross, Tusk and Brave Hearts Of the North East.

The auction house also revealed that the estimated auction prices will range between 300 and 500 thousand pounds sterling (between 343 and 572 thousand euros).

Highlights from the auction can be viewed at an exhibition in New York from December 9 to 13, and there will be another exhibition at Christie’s headquarters in London from January 19 to 30.

Mark Knopfler said in his book: “Wherever I go, I still cross the streets to look at guitars in music store windows. I’ve been doing that since I was a kid. I’ve lived with this love affair for over sixty years.” NB. .

“New Adventures” for guitars

As the musician explains, he feels “passionate about all types of guitars: Impossible Dreams and many other less expensive guitars.”

“Over the years, I’ve purchased a number of acoustic and electric guitars. For whatever reason, my collection of beauties quickly began to grow,” he noted.

Knopfler adds, “The time has come to remove some of these treasures from their boxes and leave them in the care of Christie’s to allow them to go on new adventures with their new owners.”

L (Evie)