Johnny Marr to Auction 100 Guitars from Personal Collection; Exhibit at Christie's NY

Johnny Marr is selling off nearly 100 of his guitars, plus amps, and other equipment — including instruments used with The Smiths, Modest Mouse, Billie Eilish, and more — as part of a Christie’s Auction which happens September 17 in London. Before the auction, “ Marr’s Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection ” will tour to NYC from June 25 through July 1 at Christie’s New York in Rockefeller Center.

“I have loved guitars for as long as I can remember, since the first one I got at the age of five,” Marr said in a statement about the auction. “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. Writing Marr’s Guitars in 2023 gave me the perfect excuse to bring all of these instruments together, to tell their stories, revisit the songs, shows and unforgettable moments they’ve brought me, and that I’ve shared with remarkable people in studios and on stages around the world. The book turned out to be a cathartic experience and when it was time for these beautiful instruments to go back into storage, I couldn’t imagine them being put away and left unplayed. It’s bittersweet to be parting with these guitars but I want them to go to new homes and new people who will love them as much as I have. I hope they bring as much joy, inspiration and fun – and new songs – as they have given me.”

The collection includes his 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355 which Sire Records president Seymour Stein bought for him in NYC when The Smiths signed to the label; the 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard he bought when The Smiths began to record Meat is Murder and more recently was used on Gorillaz’s The Mountain ; the Fender Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar he used on Billie Eilish’s “No Time to Die”; and many more.

Johnny Marr will donate “100% of the hammer price of 10 lots” to benefit The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society .

Learn more about The Johnny Marr Collection auction at Christie’s website .

Johnny just announced new album The Age of Everything .

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_Originally reported by [Brooklyn Vegan](https://www.brooklynvegan.com/johnny-marr-auctioning-off-nearly-100-of-his-guitars-collection-on-display-at-christies-ny-this-week/)._