The guitar collection of late Northern Irish blues legend Gary Moore is going up for auction at Bonhams later this month.
Moore made a name for himself in the late 1960s with the Dublin-based Skid Row, before following bass player Phil Lynott in 1974 to play with classic rockers Thin Lizzy.
Throughout his career Moore recorded numerous solo albums, and shared the stage with the likes of B.B. King, Albert King, Jack Bruce, Albert Collins and George Harrison.
"Before his death, Gary Moore had amassed an incredible collection of instruments," said Stephen Maycock, Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia consultant specialist.
"Some 35 guitars, as well as a selection of vintage amplifiers, will be offered at auction for the first time in Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia sale. As you’d expect from such a great musician, there’s a lot of interesting guitars in the collection, including several Gibson Les Paul models."
Leading the collection is a 1963 Fender Stratocaster, originally a gift from the late Claude Nobs, founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival at which Moore played regularly throughout his career to great acclaim. Used extensively on stage and in live TV performances, the guitar is expected to sell for £8,000 – £12,000.
Further notable lots from the collection will include a 1964 Gibson Firebird 1, estimated at £8,000 -£10,000; a vintage 1950s Fender Twin amplifier estimated at £5,000 – £6,000; a 2011 Gibson Les Paul Standard VOS Collector’s Choice No.1, estimated at £4,000 – £5,000; a 1964 Fender Vibroverb amplifier estimated at £3,000 – £4,000; and a Model 1104 Town and Country guitar, circa 1957, estimated at £1,200 – £1,500.
The Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia sales takes place in London on June 29.
