The collection of Irish musician and songwriter Rory Gallagher (1948-1995) was 100% sold today (Thursday 17 October) at Bonhams New Bond Street, London. Leading the sale was Rory Gallagher’s legendary 1961 Fender Stratocaster, which sold for £889,400 (€1,068,956 / $1,156,793). Rory Gallagher bought the guitar for £100 on credit from the owner of Crowley’s Music Store in Cork, Ireland in 1963. It became synonymous with Gallagher and its wear and worn finish have made it one of the world’s most instantly recognisable electric guitars.

Photo: Rory Gallagher: The Legendary 1961 Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar, Serial no. 64351 stamped on neckplate, guitar 38 1/2in (98cm) long
Rory Gallagher: The Legendary 1961 Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar, Serial no. 64351 stamped on neckplate, guitar 38 1/2in (98cm) long

Offered directly from the Gallagher family, the 94-lot collection in the live sale, which consisted of guitars, amps and accessories from Rory Gallagher’s life and career, made a total of £2.3million.

The whole collection was on view to the public for the first time ever prior to the sale.

Claire Tole-Moir, Head of Bonhams Popular Culture department, commented: “This was a truly amazing sale, and we are absolutely delighted with the response. We had a queue to enter the saleroom on the day and have flown in from all around the world to see the exhibition. Rory Gallagher was a true inspiration to many, and we would like to thank the Gallagher family from entrusting us to bring this collection to auction.”

Dónal Gallagher, Rory’s brother and former manager, commented: “We have been overwhelmed by the response to this auction and the outpouring of love and respect shown towards Rory and his incredible legacy. Rory meant so much to so many people, and we want to thank everyone who took part in the auction and everyone who shared their own memories of Rory with us. It has been nearly 30 years since my brother’s passing, and though it was a difficult decision to part with this collection, I am grateful that these treasured instruments can now tour the globe as Rory did, spreading his music and memory. We are also delighted that Rory’s 1961 Strat will be returning to Ireland, where it can be shared with his fans for generations to come. We would like to thank Bonhams for their amazing work and support with this auction. One thing is for sure, if Bonhams was a record company, we would want Rory to sign with them.”

Other highlights of the collection included:

  • A Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar, Known As Rory’s ‘Backup Strat’, 1958. Sold for £127,400.
  • A Martin D-35 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, 1968. Sold for £102,000.
  • A Fender Esquire Electric Guitar, 1959. Sold for £95,650.
  • A National Triolian Resonator Guitar, 1930. Sold for £95,650.
  • A Fender Telecaster Electric Guitar, 1966. Sold for £82,950.
  • A Martin Mandolin, 1942. Sold for £51,200.

Neil McCormick, writing of Rory Gallagher’s legacy in the Autumn edition of Bonhams Magazine, said: “He was not just a local hero. Rory was way too talented for that. He was one of the all-time great blues rock guitarists, with an aggressive yet lyrical touch that made the instrument burn under his fingers. He wrote songs that expressed his wonder and mystery at the world, and he sang them with growling power.”

Charitable donations from the Gallagher family:

The sale also featured a Chris Eccleshall Telecaster-Style Electric Guitar,1980s. Sold for £10,240. This guitar was a gift from a fan to Rory. Rory used it on the track Continental Op, from the 1987 Defender album. A proportion of the proceeds from the sale of this guitar will be donated equally to the mental health charities, Mind and ICAP, by the Gallagher family in memory of John ‘Jay Jay’ Joyce, a dedicated Rory fan, who recently passed away.

The sale also included a Fender Player Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar, donated by Fender to benefit The Music Venue Trust, a charity selected by the Gallagher family, dedicated to protecting, securing, and improving grassroots music venues across the UK. The guitar has been signed by a number of musicians who cite Rory Gallagher as an influence, including David Gilmour, Johnny Marr, Ed O’Brien, Noel Gallagher, Nile Rodgers, and James Bay, among others. Sold for £12,800.

bonhams.com


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