For guitar players, collectors and fans of great music, opportunities don’t come much bigger than this.
Christie’s has announced Marr’s Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection, a major auction celebrating the extraordinary career of one of Britain’s most influential guitarists and songwriters. Scheduled for September 17 in London, the sale will feature around 95 lots, including approximately 80 guitars alongside amplifiers and equipment that have played key roles throughout Marr’s remarkable musical journey.
From his groundbreaking work with The Smiths through to collaborations with artists including The Pretenders, Electronic, Modest Mouse, The Cribs, Noel Gallagher, Hans Zimmer, Billie Eilish, Beck, Pearl Jam and countless others, Marr’s distinctive guitar style has shaped generations of musicians.
Adding further significance to the auction, several of the instruments on offer were recently used during the recording of Marr’s forthcoming album The Age Of Everything, due for release on October 2. The album announcement coincides with a major European tour, culminating in Marr’s biggest solo headline performance to date at London’s OVO Arena Wembley in October.
Reflecting on the decision to part with the collection, Marr said the guitars have been constant companions throughout more than five decades of music-making.
“I have loved guitars for as long as I can remember,” Marr explained. “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.”
The idea of selling the collection emerged after completing his 2023 book Marr’s Guitars, which documented the stories behind many of the instruments. Rather than return them to storage, Marr felt it was time for the guitars to continue their journeys with new owners.
“It’s bittersweet to be parting with these guitars,” he said, “but I want them to go to new homes and new people who will love them as much as I have.”
Among the standout pieces is Marr’s famed 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo, estimated at £60,000-£80,000. Purchased shortly after signing his first publishing deal, the guitar became synonymous with The Smiths’ early sound and can be heard on classics including This Charming Man, What Difference Does It Make? and Still Ill. The instrument later found its way onto the cover of Oasis’ debut single Supersonic after Marr loaned it to Noel Gallagher during the Definitely Maybe sessions.
Expected to lead the sale is the legendary 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, carrying an estimate of £100,000-£150,000. Purchased for Marr in New York by Sire Records founder Seymour Stein in 1984, the guitar immediately inspired the writing of Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now and Girl Afraid. Its numerous television appearances with The Smiths helped cement its place as one of the most recognisable guitars of the era.
Other highlights include Marr’s rare Roger Giffin Korina Telecaster-style guitar, gifted by his wife Angie in 1984 and featured on Meat Is Murder; his much-loved 1971 Martin D-28 acoustic, used in the creation of songs such as There Is A Light That Never Goes Out and Cemetry Gates; and a heavily-used 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard that Marr describes as the guitar that has appeared on more recordings than any other in his collection.
For fans of Marr’s solo work, one particularly eye-catching lot is his unique Fender Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar in “Comet Sparkle”. Created by Fender as a one-off finish, the guitar was used extensively on stage and famously featured on Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack for the James Bond film No Time To Die, including the recording of the iconic Bond theme.
Beyond the instruments themselves, the auction offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of a musician whose influence extends far beyond The Smiths. Marr’s innovative approach to guitar playing helped redefine British guitar music in the 1980s and continues to inspire players around the world today.
In a charitable gesture, Marr will donate 100 per cent of the hammer price from ten selected lots to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society.
Selected highlights from the auction include:
. 1960 Gibson ES-355 Cherry Red – estimate £100,000-£150,000
. 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard Cherry – estimate £80,000-£120,000
. 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo – estimate £60,000-£80,000
. 1971 Martin D-28 – estimate £30,000-£50,000
. Roger Giffin Korina Telecaster-style guitar (circa 1984) – estimate £20,000-£30,000
. Fender Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar “Comet Sparkle” (2017) – estimate £8,000-£12,000
The collection will be exhibited publicly in New York from June 25 to July 1 before returning to London for a free pre-sale exhibition running from September 9-16.
For guitar enthusiasts, it’s a rare chance to own a piece of music history-and perhaps, as Marr hopes, create the next chapter in the story of these remarkable instruments.
For more information and to pre-order the catalogue please visit christies.com/johnnymarr
To register interest to attend the press call on Tuesday 8 September please contact hschweiger@christies.com