Johnny Cash Personally Owned Stage Used Martin D-45 Acoustic Guitar Given to Marty Stuart W/(2) LOAs - This 1978 Martin D-45 acoustic guitar was owned by legendary country music crooner, Johnny Cash, who later gave it to fellow country music entertainer Marty Stuart. Marty Stuart was married to Johnny Cash's daughter Cindy Cash from 1983 to 1988, during which Johnny Cash gave him this guitar in 1984. This guitar comes with a letter from Johnny Cash on his personal letterhead which states, "This is to certify that I have given to Marty Stuart on this date, my personal 1978 Martin D-45 guitar, which has been used and played in my concerts," and lists the guitar's serial number. This guitar is thought to be one of two main D-45 acoustic guitars used by Johnny Cash, who also gave Marty Stuart the other, a pre-war Martin D-45 guitar which remains in Stuart's personal collection. This lot also includes a handwritten note written by Marty Stuart to a man by the name of "George" (Gruhn), referencing something that he had John sign as requested by George. We have also consulted with celebrity owned guitar and Memphis music expert, Robert Johnson, who states that "The person in the letter that is associated with this Johnny Cash Guitar that Marty Stuart wrote named George is George Gruhn. George Gruhn and Gruhn Guitars is considered to be the oldest and most respected and experienced Guitar Store in the business." Mr. Johnson's letter also states that he saw this guitar at Gruhn's store in Nashville Tennessee in 1984 and that "It is a known fact that both Johnny Cash and Marty Stuart used this 1978 Martin D-45 guitar live in concerts and the recording studio." To view any of the accompanying documentation, please email taylor@gwsauctions.com. Johnny Cash's guitars continue to command a high premium as there are very few available. In May, 2022 Cash's Martin D-21 guitar sold at auction for over $437,000.