LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.
The first segment of the sale is dedicated to the Pinkburst Project, a unique set of custom-made guitars and amplifiers commissioned by Jay Jay French, guitarist of the rock band Twisted Sister, and inspired by his iconic “pink sunburst” Les Paul. The custom models were created specifically for the Pinkburst Project by Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Paul Reed Smith, Roukangas and Martin. Amplifiers by Fender, Marshall, Vox, Mesa, Orange, Hartke and Diamond, along with a number of accessories, will be up for bid as well.
The Pinkburst Project was created to raise awareness about uveitis, the leading cause of blindness among American girls, and a disease that affects French’s daughter Samantha. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation.
The Thomas Binkley Collection of Historical Musical Instruments includes fine wind and fretted instruments of the Renaissance and Baroque period, along with reproductions by some of the leading makers of early musical instruments. The excellent work of the Von Huene Workshop of Boston, Peter Harlett, John Hanchet and the late Gunter Korber is well represented among these instruments, which were played by Binkley on his recordings of early music. Also featured are two antique citterns from the British Isles: Lot 185 is a cittern or English guitar from maker William Gibson of Dublin, dating from 1712 and estimated at $600-$800; and an anonymous cittern from circa 1750 is estimated at $1,200-$1,400. Lot 186 is an Italian pandurina, or soprano lute, from circa 1620, attributed to Marinus di Magistro. This instrument is estimated at $2,000-$3,000.
Included in the offerings of fine fretted instruments are three examples from C.F. Martin: Lot 34 is a Style 00-42 guitar from 1930 with all parts original, estimated at $4,000-$6,000; Lot 35 is a 5K ukulele from 1928 valued at $7,000-$9,000; and lot 35A is a D-18 guitar from 1945, and is estimated at $10,000-$12,000. Featured from Gibson is Lot 38, an L-5 guitar from 1934, whose sale will benefit the City Music program of Berklee College of Music, courtesy of actor/director/musician Christopher Guest. The guitar is estimated at $10,000-$12,000. Also from Gibson is an F-4 mandolin from 1927, Lot 39, valued at $4,000-$6,000; and a “Gold Top” Les Paul guitar from 1957, Lot 42, estimated at $60,000-$80,000. Vintage instruments from Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Fender, Guild, and Vega will also be sold.
Fine violins include an outstanding example of Mantua maker Stefano Scarampella from 1917, Lot 55, which is estimated at $30,000-$50,000; a fine violin from Lorenzo Ventapane of Naples, circa 1810, Lot 58, estimated at $50,000-$70,000; a Milanese violin of Paolo Testore from 1740, Lot 61, valued at $65,000; and an outstanding example from English maker Benjamin Banks from circa 1775, Lot 60, estimated at $8,000-$12,000.
Finally, Skinner is proud to present a special Selmer horn, the saxophone of Steve Lacy, composer, arranger and extraordinary instrumentalist. This Selmer Series lll saxophone was his instrument of choice from 1994 until his death in 2004. Lot 42 is estimated at $10,000-$15,000.
Previews for the auction will be Friday, April 29, noon to 7 p.m., Saturday, April 30, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 1, 9 to 10:30 a.m. On Friday, a reception featuring live music from Tomoko Omura Quartet will be held at 5:30 p.m. RSVP to 617-350-5400.
For details visit Skinner’s website at skinnerinc.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
