As expected and as we wrote about left-handed 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst guitar that could fetch $125,000 at Heritage Auctions’ Vintage Guitars and Musical Instruments Signature Auction, the same happened. The guitar, one of only two 1959 left-handed ‘bursts ever made exceeded that amount and sold for $194,500!
This guitar that is also one of just four left-handed ‘bursts made out of 1,600 created between 1958 and 1960, was part of a consignment of instruments and equipment from the United States Marshals Service, with profits from the sales benefiting victims of the Aspen Energy Oil and Gas Investment Scheme. More than $1.24 million in sales were reported for the event that occurred on October 27, 2012.
Also, 1960 left-handed Les Paul bursts, one of only two existing, we also mentioned in the same post, has achieved more than doubling its’ pre-auction estimate of $60,000, and sold for whopping $134,500. The owner of the other guitar is none other than Sir Paul McCartney.
“The 1959 left-handed ‘burst is about as rare, and famous, as any guitar in the world,” said Mike Gutierrez, Consignment Director at Heritage Auctions.” Collectors came after it in a very serious way, resulting in the almost $200,000 price realized. That enthusiasm translated to the rest of the offerings in the auction, as well, resulting in a 96.5% sell-through rate by total value.”
Other worth mentioning instruments include a circa-1977 Overdrive Special Dumble OD-50WC brown suede amp from the estate of Point Blank Guitarist Kim Davis, finished at $35,000; a 1956 Fender Stratocaster sold for $30,000, and a 1953 Fender Esquire came in at $23,125.
