Mark Knopfler’s huge guitar collection was auctioned by Christie’s in London a few days ago, raising the sum of 8.840.160 pounds.
“The Mark Knopfler Guitar Collection” included 122 guitars that the Dire Straits legend had acquired over the decades.
Knopfler’s 1959 vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard was the most expensive item, selling for £693,000, a record price for the guitar. Its estimate was between 300,000 and 500,000.
Also, the 1983 Gibson Les Paul Standard ’59 reissue that appeared on “Money for Nothing” went for £592,200, beating its pre-auction estimate of £10,000 to £15,000.
The auction lasted over six hours with collectors from 61 countries attending.
25% of the total auction price is split equally and donated to charities that Mark Knopfler has supported for many years; the British Red Cross, Tusk and Brave Hearts of the North East.
The Teenage Cancer Trust will receive the entire £403,200 raised from Knopfler’s 2021 Gibson Les Paul ‘gold top’ guitar, which has been signed by Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Slash, Ronnie Wood, Brian May, Sting, Ringo Starr, Bruce Springsteen, The Edge, Joan Jett and Nile Rodgers.
In addition, Christie’s is contributing a further £50,000 to each of the four charities.
Mark Knopfler said: “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.
“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.”
