Lot Essay
This multi-signed Gibson Les Paul 'Gold Top' guitar betokens a highly anticipated collaboration project - spearheaded by Mark Knopfler - featuring many of the world's most iconic guitarists, to be announced in February 2024. This auction represents a rare opportunity to acquire a memento of this symbiotic moment in music history before details of the collaboration project are released to the general public.
The autographs on this guitar, which include Mark 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, as well as many other world-famous musicians still performing today, were obtained as part of this exclusive collaboration. In support of the project, eight guitars were generously donated by Gibson, Fender, Gretsch and Atkin: four for Teenage Cancer Trust, UK and four for Teen Cancer America. The four guitars provided for Teen Cancer America were auctioned at private fundraising events in the US during the course of 2022, each achieving a six-figure sum for the charity. Unlike the four already auctioned, the guitars provided for Teenage Cancer Trust, including this guitar, have been additionally signed by Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood, David Gilmour and Buddy Guy.
The sale of this guitar will be accompanied by two tickets to the exclusive UK VIP launch event on 1 March 2024, with full details to be provided to the buyer following the auction.
100% of the funds raised through the sale of this guitar will be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust, of which Mark Knopfler is a proud Patron, to support their vital work in providing specialised nursing care and support to 13-25 years-olds with cancer. They are the only UK charity dedicated to providing this specialised care to this age group.
Teenage Cancer Trust is a registered charity: 1062559 (England & Wales), SC039757 (Scotland).