Johnny Marr’s legendary guitar is scheduled to be dismantled this summer. In a landmark sale to be held at Christie’s in London on September 17th, Marr will be auctioning off a vast collection of instruments that helped define British independent music as one of the most influential of the past 40 years.
The auction, titled “Marr’s Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection” after the 2023 coffee table book “Marr’s Guitars,” will feature approximately 80 guitars, along with amplifiers and touring equipment. This collection traces Marr’s career from his rise as co-founder of seminal Manchester group The Smiths to his extensive post-band collaborations and solo career.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Guide Dogs for the Blind and the National Autism Society. The selected instruments will also be on public display in New York later this month (June 25th to July 1st) before heading across the Atlantic to London. More information about the auction can be found on Christie’s official website.
Highlights include Marr’s 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo, which was used on early The Smiths hits such as “This Charming Man” and “What Difference Does It Make?”, and is estimated to be worth up to £80,000 ($106,000). The guitar was also lent by Marr to Noel Gallagher for Oasis’ Definitely Maybe recording sessions, and appears on the cover of the band’s 1994 debut single, “Supersonic.”
Also on display is one of Marr’s signature instruments of the mid-1980s, a 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, purchased for him by Sire Records label founder Seymour Stein. The guitar was central to the composition of The Smiths’ “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” and is estimated to fetch up to 150,000 pounds (approximately $199,000), according to a press release.
Several of the guitars in the collection were recently used in the recording of Marr’s upcoming solo album, The Age of Everything (out October 2nd on BMG). He will support the new record with a headline tour of the UK and Europe this autumn, culminating with his biggest solo show to date at London’s 12,500-capacity OVO Arena Wembley on October 24th.
“I’ve loved guitars for as long as I can remember, ever since I got my first guitar when I was five years old. Each guitar I’ve acquired over the past 50 years or so has helped me evolve as a musician, introducing new songs, new sounds, and techniques,” Marr said in a statement.
“In 2023, ‘Marr’s Writing Guitars gave me the perfect excuse to collect all of these instruments, tell their stories, and revisit the songs and shows they’ve brought me, and the unforgettable moments I’ve shared with amazing people in studios and stages around the world. This book has been such a cathartic experience that when it was time for these beautiful instruments to go back into storage, I couldn’t imagine them being put away and left unplayed.
“It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to these guitars, but I hope they go to new homes and new people who love them as much as I do. I hope they bring me as much joy, inspiration, fun, and new songs as they have given me.”
Amelia Walker, Christie’s Specialist Head of Private and Iconic Collections, added: “Christie’s is excited to launch Mars Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection this September. When Johnny Marr co-founded The Smiths at the age of 18, the music world had never heard such a unique and melodic guitar playing style, or such original, fresh-sounding songs.”
“These are the tools of an ever-innovating guitarist, whose unmistakable sound and music have inspired musicians and fans of all ages from the early 1980s to today. We’re thrilled to be working with Johnny Marr to find new owners and new songs for these legendary instruments.”
After The Smiths disbanded in 1987, Marr continued to work with major artists such as The Pretenders, Electronic (alongside New Order’s Bernard Sumner), Modest Mouse, and The Cribs. He began his solo career in the 2010s and has since collaborated with the likes of Billie Eilish (“No Time to Die”) and Gorillaz (2026 The Mountain).
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