Guitars which were owned by Dire Straits icon Mark Knopfler, have sold for over £8 million at an auction at Christies in London.
Overall, 120 of Knopfler’s guitars were sold, including the 1983 Gibson Les Paul, which he used on tracks Brothers In Arms, and Money For Nothing. This guitar was also played at the infamous 1985 Live Aid concert.
25% of the proceeds from this auction went towards various charities, including the Red Cross, children’s non-profit Brave Hearts of the North East, and wildlife advocates Tusk.
“so pleased”
The auction also sold a 1959 Vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard for £693,000, which set a new record for the highest sale for that specific model of guitar.
Other instruments sold at the auction also include Red Schecter Telecaster, which Knopfler purchased to record hit Dire Straits song Walk Of Life in 1984, a along with a a 1988 Pensa-Suhr MK-1, which Knopfler played at a tribute concert for Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday at Wembley Stadium.
The Red Schecter Telecaster sold for £415,000, while the 1988 Pensa-Suhr MK-1 made £504,000 under the hammer.
Reacting to the sales, Mark Knopfler said, “I am so pleased that these much-loved instruments will find new players and new songs as well as raising money for charities that mean a lot to me”.
He also added, “It has been heart-warming to witness how much these guitars mean to so many people and I am also pleased that they will continue to give joy to many through the songs recorded over the years with me”.
Mark Knopfler had originally confirmed plans for this auction last November. More on this from Nova here.
