Bryan Wawzenek | 03.29.2012
An amazing collection of Les Paul’s guitars, recording gear and more are set to go up for auction later this spring. Julien’s Auctions, in partnership with the Les Paul Foundation, will be auctioning these items on June 8-9, in celebration of what would have been Les’s 97th birthday.
Among the guitars featured in the auction, according to a press release:
1968 Prototype Gibson Les Paul Custom Recording Model (Est. $60-$80,000). White flat top with Bigsby tail piece and note in Paul’s handwriting, reading, “Reward this is the property of Les Paul A.K.A. Lester William Polfuss…Mahwah, New Jersey USA…”
1927 Gibson L-5 Sunburst Cremona serial number 87230 (Est. $10-$15,000) This is one of the two L-5s purchased by Les Paul, then going by the name Rhubarb Red, at Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with his friend and bandmate Sunny Joe Wolverton in 1933.
1952 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop (Est. $14-$16,000) No serial number, Trapeze tailpiece, tuners have been changed to Grover’s, patent pending with original case. This is one of the very first Les Paul guitars produced. The back of the headstock is hand-signed, “Les Paul.”
The auction also will feature Les’s touring rig, collection of effects pedals, piano and 16-track recording machine. All items will be available for a free public exhibition from May 29 through June 8 at Julien’s Beverly Hills location. The live and online auction will take place during four sessions on June 8 and 9.
For more information, visit JuliensAuctions.com.
Photos are courtesy of Julien’s Auctions.
