The guitar famously damaged during the breakup of the band Oasis has been sold for £289,800. Noel Gallagher’s cherry red Gibson ES-355, which was notably damaged during the band’s final Paris concert in 2009, was the highlight of a sale of music memorabilia by Propstore. This auction featured over 400 rare instruments, handwritten lyrics, stage-used pieces, and personal artifacts, totaling £1,666,500 on its first day.
Among the other notable items sold were a Banksy Think Tank artwork for £107,100 and Elvis Presley’s worn Grand Prix sunglasses for £75,600. Mark Hochman, Propstore’s Music Specialist, expressed that the sale of Noel Gallagher’s guitar set a new record not only for Oasis instruments but also for Oasis memorabilia globally.
In a separate auction, a red Baldwin Burns Double Six solid electric 12-string guitar with an intriguing history fetched a significant sum. This instrument, lent to British rock icon Mark Knopfler and reportedly not returned for 50 years, was sold. Knopfler, known for his role in Dire Straits, extensively used this guitar both on and off stage, including during the band’s hit album “Communiqué” and at the Prince’s Trust concert at Wembley Arena.
The borrowed guitar was identified as Mark Knopfler’s, the lead guitarist and vocalist of Dire Straits, and was borrowed from Jeff Sadler of Gosforth, known for his involvement with bands like Brethren and Lindisfarne. Despite being in Knopfler’s possession for 50 years, the Double Six guitar remains in perfect original condition.
Before pursuing a solo career, Mark Knopfler was a key figure in Dire Straits, which was hailed as one of the biggest British rock bands of the 80s by Classic Rock magazine. The band achieved remarkable success, selling over 100 million records worldwide.
Following its withdrawal from the Christie’s Mark Knopfler Guitar Collection Sale in 2024, the Double Six guitar was returned to its original owner, Jeff Sadler. The instrument, initially expected to fetch £30,000 at auction, has a captivating story that is expected to attract attention from fans and collectors alike.