Fans of classic indie music and serious collectors have a rare chance to own a piece of rock history. In a story drawing attention across breaking news ireland coverage and wider entertainment circles, Johnny Marr is sending a selection of the guitars tied to The Smiths and his solo career to auction at Christie’s in London.
The sale, titled Marr’s Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection, brings together instruments that helped shape some of the most recognisable guitar sounds in British music. For readers following ireland breaking news and irish breaking news in arts and culture, this is the kind of music story that reaches far beyond memorabilia—it is about the tools behind landmark songs, tours and studio moments.
Why Johnny Marr’s guitar auction matters
Johnny Marr’s influence on alternative rock remains immense, and this auction reflects that legacy. The guitarist said each instrument helped him discover new sounds, techniques and songs over the years. Rather than leaving them stored away, he wants them to go to owners who will continue to value and play them.
The headline lots include guitars linked directly to key moments in The Smiths’ rise, making this one of the more notable entertainment pieces among latest news ireland readers and ireland headlines watchers interested in music history.
- 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355 – said to have inspired Marr to write Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
- 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo – used during the recording of The Smiths’ debut album and early live shows
- 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard – tied to the Meat Is Murder era and the band’s 1985 tour
- 2017 Fender Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar – later used on work connected to the Bond theme No Time To Die
Estimated values and standout instruments
Among the most talked-about items in ireland news today entertainment updates is the Gibson ES-355. Marr received it in 1983 after Sire Records founder Seymour Stein bought it for him, following a joke that The Smiths would sign if he got a new guitar. It is expected to sell for between £100,000 and £150,000.
The black Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo, central to Marr’s early signature sound, is estimated at £60,000 to £80,000. It is especially notable because it appears on songs closely associated with The Smiths, including This Charming Man and What Difference Does It Make?. It also has an Oasis connection, having appeared on the cover of Supersonic after Marr lent it to Noel Gallagher.
The 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard could fetch between £80,000 and £120,000. Marr has said the guitar was also used on recordings involving New Order, The The, The Cribs and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, adding to its appeal for collectors tracking ireland top stories in music.
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A charity angle adds more significance
This is not simply a commercial sale. Marr will donate 100% of the hammer price from 10 lots to the Guide Dogs For The Blind Association and the National Autistic Society. That charitable element gives the auction wider importance and helps it stand out among ireland current affairs conversations around celebrity giving and public impact.
Collectors and fans will also be able to view highlights before the auction. Selected lots will be shown in New York from June 25 to July 1, before returning to Christie’s London for a free public pre-sale exhibition from September 9 to 16. The auction itself is scheduled for September 17.
Why fans are paying close attention
Interest is high because Marr’s career spans several generations of listeners. With The Smiths, he helped define 1980s indie rock through albums such as The Smiths, Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come. His solo work has also remained commercially and critically strong, with a new album, The Age Of Everything, due on October 2.
That mix of nostalgia, musicianship and rarity explains why the auction is gaining traction not just in music media but among readers looking for ireland updates, irish news today and broader cultural talking points.
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What this means for the music memorabilia market
High-end music memorabilia continues to perform strongly, especially when the items have clear provenance and links to famous recordings. Marr’s collection offers both. The instruments are not just signed keepsakes—they are working guitars connected to songs, tours and genre-defining records.
For anyone scanning breaking news ireland for unusual but significant arts stories, this sale is a reminder that cultural heritage often lives in physical objects. In this case, those objects helped create some of the most enduring guitar music of the past four decades.
Quick summary
- The auction features 95 lots from Johnny Marr’s collection
- Several guitars were used with The Smiths and in solo work
- Top estimates reach as high as £150,000
- Ten lots will support two charities in full
- The sale takes place at Christie’s London on September 17
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Conclusion
Johnny Marr’s upcoming auction is more than a sale of vintage instruments—it is a curated snapshot of a remarkable musical journey. For readers following breaking news ireland, this story blends cultural legacy, collector value and charity in one compelling package. If the estimates are met, the event could become one of the most closely watched music auctions of the year.
Article/Image Courtesy: BreakingNews.ie
