Ian Curtis’ Guitar Steals the Show at Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia Sale

Entertainment Memorabiliaincluding a collection from BAFTA13 Oct 2020 London, Knightsbridge Joy Division: The Vox Phantom VI Special Guitar Owned By Ian Curtis And Played In The Video For “Love Will Tear Us Apart”,1967,

The guitar used by Joy Division frontman and lyricist Ian Curtis in the music video for ’Love Will Tear Us Apart’, sold for £162,563, doubling its estimate, at Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia sale today (Tuesday 13 October) in London. The guitar, which was offered by Curtis’ daughter, Natalie, had been estimated at £60,000-80,000. Other highlights of the sale included a rare fretless electric guitar owned by George Harrison, which was featured on Antiques Roadshow. It sold for £237,562.

A collection of lots offered by BAFTA, with all proceeds supporting BAFTA’s year-round charitable activity, was 100% sold. Highlights included Thor’s Stormbreaker prop, production-used in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and gifted directly by Marvel Studios to BAFTA, which sold for £37,562. A rare, screen-used Sith Trooper Helmet from Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019), donated by Lucasfilm, also achieved £37,562. The pyjamas worn by Jodie Comer as Villanelle in series two of the critically acclaimed drama series Killing Eve, sold for £9,437 against an estimate of £1,500-2,000.

The sale made a total of £953,270 with 83% sold by lot and 88% sold by value.

Head of Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia department, Claire Tole-Moir commented: “In an incredibly strong sale the legendary Vox Phantom owned by Ian Curtis – appearing at auction for the first time – really stood out. Ian was a British cultural icon who had a once-in-a-generation talent, and his musical legacy, even 40 years on, is as strong as ever. The guitar, which was offered for sale by his daughter Natalie is an important piece of British musical history and I am not surprised that it attracted such strong bidding, nor that it sold for such an amazing price.

”It was a privilege to collaborate with BAFTA and a great pleasure to see so much money raised for their year-round charitable activity, which is focused on finding and supporting new and existing talent in the UK and internationally, and breaking down the barriers that make it hard to build careers in the film, games and television industries"

George Harrison’s Rare Bartell Fretless Electric Guitar, presented to Harrison in 1967, made circa 1967. Sold for £237,562

Made by Bartell of California in 1967 and presented to George Harrison in Los Angeles in August 1967, the unconventional fretless guitar remained in Harrison’s collection until 1984 when it was gifted to the present owner, session guitarist Ray Russell, whilst Russell was working with Harrison on the music for the Handmade Films production, Water. The guitar was also believed to have been played by John Lennon during an interview that took place at Abbey Road Studios in 1968, as part of The Kenny Everett Show.

Other highlights of the sale included:

• Annie Lennox’s Steinway Grand Piano used at her home. Sold for £35,062. All proceeds will go to her charity ’The Circle’ which supports women in an aim to make a significant difference towards a fairer and more equal world.
• The Beatles / Iain Macmillan: The Hasselblad 500c Camera Used by Iain Macmillan to Photograph the Cover Image for the Beatles’ Abbey Road Album,1969. Sold for £35,062.
• Coldplay: the original concept artwork by Coldplay and Pilar Zeta for the band’s 2015 album A Head Full Of Dreams, Parlophone/Atlantic Records. Sold for £18,000. All funds raised from the purchase of this item will support Oxfam’s global work to help stop the spread of coronavirus, including providing handwashing facilities, clean water and soap.