Get ready to rock out with Sotheby’s upcoming “Popular Culture London Online Auction,” a celebration of music, film, and celebrity artifacts. The auction, running from August 29th to September 12th, will feature a carefully curated selection of rare and significant items, showcasing the cultural and artistic impact of genres like Rock, Pop, Metal, and Britpop.
Music fans will be particularly excited about the opportunity to own a piece of rock history. One highlight is Noel Gallagher’s Epiphone Les Paul Standard electric guitar, used during sessions for Oasis’ 1994 debut album, “Definitely Maybe.” This guitar was featured prominently in the music video and iconic cover art for their debut single, “Supersonic,” and graced the stage at numerous early performances. The guitar is estimated to fetch between £60,000 and £80,000.
Another coveted item is Prince’s blackburst Vox HDC-77 electric guitar, which he used extensively with his band 3RDEYEGIRL from 2013 to 2015. Dan Piepenbring, a collaborator on Prince’s memoir, describes the guitar as reflecting Prince’s desire for a “driving sound” with the band, a departure from his earlier jazzier style. This guitar, owned by Donna Grantis, a bandmate of Prince’s, is estimated to sell for £200,000 to £300,000.
Beyond guitars, the auction features a Steinway Model A Grand Piano, a true icon of music history. This piano graced the hallowed halls of Abbey Road Studios from 1973 to 2016, featuring on countless iconic tracks and albums by musical giants like Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, Radiohead, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, and the Foo Fighters. The piano, with its unmistakable marks of years of use, including watermarks, cigarette burns, and abrasions, is estimated at £150,000 to £200,000.
Film lovers can also find treasures in this auction. One standout is a pair of original red satin ballet pointe shoes created for Moira Shearer as ‘Victoria Page’ in the 1948 film ‘The Red Shoes.’ These shoes, stamped ‘FREED LONDON,’ are estimated at £15,000 to £20,000.
For those interested in Marianne Faithfull’s early music career, the auction features a dedicated copy of ‘Marianne Faithfull: Fabulous Beast’ by Gered Mankowitz, signed by the author, as well as a copy of ‘Blinds & Shutters’ by Michael Cooper, signed by a variety of notable figures, including Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, and Bill Wyman. The lot is estimated at £1,000 to £2,000.
The auction will also include artifacts from popular films, including the rhino-riding gladiator costume from Ridley Scott’s upcoming “Gladiator II” and a limited-edition box set of two Omega ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ 50th anniversary Seamaster Diver 300M model watches, donated by EON Productions and being sold for charity on behalf of BAFTA. The watches are estimated at £40,000 to £60,000.
The “Popular Culture London Online Auction” offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of music and film history. With a diverse range of items and a truly international appeal, this auction is sure to captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike.
