June 22 (THEWILL) — Former guitarist of British band The Smiths, Johnny Marr, will auction around 80 guitars, along with amplifiers and studio equipment, in London later this year.
The sale, titled “Marr’s Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection”, is organized with Christie’s, a major international auction house that sells art, luxury items, and collectibles. It will take place on 17 September 2026.
The collection will also be shown in public exhibitions in London and New York before the auction.
The instruments cover more than 40 years of Marr’s music career, including his time with The Smiths and later work with artists such as Oasis and Gorillaz.
In total, nearly 100 lots will be sold, with estimated prices ranging from about £1,000 to £150,000.
Key items include a 1960 Gibson ES-355 guitar given to Marr by music executive Seymour Stein. It is the highest valued item in the sale and was used in early Smiths recordings.
Also included is a 1982 Rickenbacker 330, linked to songs such as “This Charming Man” and “What Difference Does It Make?”
Marr’s Fender Jaguar signature guitar, used in recent work including the James Bond film “No Time to Die”, will also be sold.
Marr said he decided to sell the instruments so they can continue to be played and used by other musicians, rather than stay in storage.
Some of the auction proceeds will go to charity, including the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the National Autistic Society.
The collection is expected to attract strong global interest from collectors and music fans.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
