The vast assortment of musical instruments belonging to the late Rory Gallagher (1948-1995), a renowned Irish hard-rock and blues artist, will be auctioned at Bonham’s New Bond Street location in London on October 17th. Potential buyers can preview the collection daily leading up to the auction.
The collection features the 1961 Fender Stratocaster, famously associated with the Ballyshannon-born musician. Gallagher originally procured this second-hand guitar on credit from Crowley’s Music Store in Cork in 1963 for £100. This classic instrument with an estimated value between £700,000 and £1 million (€835,390 – €1.2 million) is celebrated as one of the world’s most distinguished electric guitars.
With nearly three decades passed since Rory’s demise, Donal Gallagher, his brother, and ex-manager believes it’s time to let others appreciate the 1961 Stratocaster and the array of musical instruments Rory left behind.
Even after Gallagher’s death in 1995, there has been a revival of interest in his distinctive style of guitar play. In his lifetime, Gallagher’s talent influenced renowned musicians like Eric Clapton, Brian May of Queen among others. His influence continues to be seen in music even today.
Included in the online auction of Gallagher’s possessions is a 1966 Fender Telecaster electric guitar (£120,000-£150,000), a 1958 Fender Stratocaster electric guitar named Rory’s “backup Strat” (£100,000-£150,000), and an assortment of other electric and acoustic guitars, and a mandolin. During the 70s and 80s, Gallagher’s records sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide. Coincidentally, the release of a new boxset, titled the “BBC Collection of Rory Gallagher’s Recorded Performances”, coincides with this weekend’s auction.
In the serene setting of Townley Hall, located outside Drogheda in Co Louth, Adam’s Country House Collections can be perused today, tomorrow, and the day following. The country house, with a design accredited to Francis Johnson, is currently in the ownership of the School of Philosophy and Economic Science. The intriguing artifacts on offer, including a wide variety of mahogany furniture, historical artworks, outdoor furniture, and silverware, are bound to attract individuals owning grand country estates or refined Georgian city properties who are seeking to enrich their homes with historic intricacies.
Among the items on display, some catch the eye more than others. These include a William IV mahogany circular table (priced between €1,000 and €1,500), one of half-a-dozen or so breakfast tables available for auction. Another distinguished piece is the George III mahogany Gainsborough armchair (priced between €2,000 and €3,000) nestled amongst an ample collection of armchairs and dining room chairs up for sale. But arguably the most compelling offer is the exquisite collection of silverware, particularly the extensive array of cutlery. A highlight of this collection is a dozen George II silver dinner plates crafted by Robert Calderwood, a renowned Dublin silversmith, in the 18th century for Drogheda House.
This residence, the largest on what was then Drogheda Street (now known as O’Connell Street), was commissioned by Henry Moore, the third Earl of Drogheda. It was a symbol of status in the 1700s, standing on one of the trendiest streets at that time. The Earl was also tasked with planning adjacent streets, which he named after himself: Henry Street, Earl Street, and Moore Street. The house, however, was demolished during the Irish Civil War.
Another notable item available for auction is a rare Victorian inkwell, moulded into the form of a donkey with baskets, crafted by John Samuel Hunt in London, 1845, with an estimated value of €8,000.
The initial 247 lots will be sold through an online timed auction scheduled to end at 3 pm on October 14. The following 450 lots will be sold from Adam’s salesrooms at 26 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, starting at 11 am on October 15.
In addition, Mullen’s Auctioneers, based in Laurel Park next to Woodbrook golf course in Bray, will recommence their live auctions from 10 am on October 14.
The thrill of an auction house cannot be rivalled, notes Joe Mullen, as he reflects on the rush of winning a much-desired item. Despite this, he acknowledges that the auction process is more digital now due to increased reliance on online formats.
On October 12th, during the auction preview, Mullen’s Auctioneers will host Michelle Burnett of Cush Interiors, Castleknock, and Mia Van Evelingen of Mia Upholstery, Dublin 8. Each specialist will guide attendees on arranging and restoring antique pieces.
Burnett praises the unique charm period furniture brings, highlighting the sophisticated allure a Georgian cabinet bureau can lend a living room. In the meantime, Van Evelingen will offer estimates for reupholstery work on pieces such as dining room seats, armchairs and settees available for auction on Monday.
Van Evelingen laments the disappearance of skilled upholsterers in Ireland. Not having upholstery training courses in Ireland exacerbates the scarcity.
Mullen is intrigued to witness the turnout at the live auction, considering online platforms have become central to the auction industry amidst the pandemic. He looks forward to evaluating the effect of this shift in the coming months.
Attending an auction allows buyers to come across potential items of interest beyond their planned purchases. Items of note this week included a Victorian walnut marquetry cabinet, a reproduction art-deco-style floor light, and an Edwardian wash stand, each with an estimated value between €300 and €400.
Adam’s auction house recently saw several pieces of Deborah Brown’s art exceed their projected prices: ‘Orange and Red Abstract’ sold for €1,300, with its estimate being €700-€1,000, while ‘Black Form on Red’ fetched €850, exceeding its €500-€700 expectation.
Here, different items were auctioned at multiple auction houses. A bronze sculpture of a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa was put up for auction by Adam’s and Sheppards. Adam’s estimated its worth to be between €3000 – €5000, and it was eventually sold for €20,000. Conversely, Sheppards had the same estimation, but the bid ended with a hammer price of €1,800.
The auction house Victor Mee presented an Aubusson wool and silk tapestry for bidding. The value was estimated at a range of €6000 to €12000. However, this item was not sold at the auction.