Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses, will hold an auction of Fine Musical Instruments beginning at noon on Sunday, October 14th at its Boston gallery. The sale will feature a significant offering of instruments associated with some of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th Century: Guitars from George Benson's personal collection and a Martin trumpet custom made for and used by Miles Davis.
The sale features a trumpet ($25,000-35,000), custom made for Miles Davis by the Martin Company. The American jazz musician was widely considered to be one of the most influential of the 20th century. The blue baked enamel and engraved personal trumpet was pictured on the album cover, “A Tribute to Jack Johnson" (1970). Davis was at the forefront of almost every major development in jazz from World War II to the 1990s and helped to influence the development of modal jazz. He, like many artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, and Red Rodney favored the Martin “Committee" trumpets for their sound and response.
Three of Mr. Benson's guitars were made by James “Jimmy" D'Aquisto, considered to be the most famous guitar maker of the 20th century. Best known for his custom arch top guitars favored by jazz guitarists and collectors, D'Aquisto served as an apprentice to the world renowned John D'Angelico in the early 1950s and was considered his successor after D'Angelico's death in 1964. The auction will feature three D'Aquisto arch-top guitars with carved bodies: A D'Aquisto New Yorker Special from 1968, ($30,000-50,000), a New Yorker Special from 1972 custom made for Grant Green, a fine guitarist and associate of Mr. Benson, ($50,000-70,000), and a model Excel from 1982 ($30,000-50,000).
“George Benson is a guitarist with consummate musical taste and unmatched technique, and is acknowledged to be the most popular guitarist in jazz history," said David Bonsey, Fine Musical Instruments Department director at Skinner, Inc. “The guitars being offered were an integral part of his sound that is universally recognized for its warmth, fluidity, and rich quality."
Two more of the guitars offered are his treasured keepsakes. A Gibson L-5 Custom from c.1964 features double provenance: It was previously owned by Benson's idol Wes Montgomery, often considered the most innovative of modern Jazz guitarists. The L-5 was featured on the Wes Montgomery album cover, “Movin' Wes" (Verve, 1964) and was also played on his album “Goin' Out of My Head" (Verve, 1965). Estimate is $20,000-30,000.
Also to be featured from George Benson's collection is a Gibson “Johnny Smith" model from 1976 ($7500-8500). Mr. Benson used this model for much of his tours throughout the 1970's and 80's and for his 1976 album “Breezin'", the largest selling jazz album of all time. Completing the offering are over forty vintage American guitars of the most desirable models and periods in exceptionally fine condition. The offering includes Martin guitars from 1836 through 1942 (including a Martin OM-28 from 1930, ($24,000-30,000), Fender guitars from 1953 through 1971, Gibson guitars including Les Paul models from 1955, 1957 and 1959, a model L-5 from 1924 signed by Lloyd Loar, and many unique and rare arch-tops, flat-tops, and solid bodies. Rounding out the selection are extremely rare examples by Gretsch from the 1950's.
In addition, the auction will feature fine Italian string instruments including a viola by Giuseppe Guadagnini, Pavia, 1792 ($120,000-160,000). Work of this maker is exceedingly rare, and this exceptional small viola is in a pure state. It produces a deep dark sonorous sound combined with ease of playing. A Neapolitan violin by the Gagliano family from c. 1820 is in a very pure state of preservation, in near pristine condition with an outstanding quality of sound ($30,000-50,000). Excellent modern Italian instruments include a 1915 example by Enrico Rocca of Genoa ($90,000-120,000) and a pristine Giuseppe Fiorini from 1924 ($35,000-50,000). Featured bows are by Sartory, Lamy, Ouchard, Tourte and Kittel.
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner's appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass.
The sale features a trumpet ($25,000-35,000), custom made for Miles Davis by the Martin Company. The American jazz musician was widely considered to be one of the most influential of the 20th century. The blue baked enamel and engraved personal trumpet was pictured on the album cover, “A Tribute to Jack Johnson" (1970). Davis was at the forefront of almost every major development in jazz from World War II to the 1990s and helped to influence the development of modal jazz. He, like many artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, and Red Rodney favored the Martin “Committee" trumpets for their sound and response.
Three of Mr. Benson's guitars were made by James “Jimmy" D'Aquisto, considered to be the most famous guitar maker of the 20th century. Best known for his custom arch top guitars favored by jazz guitarists and collectors, D'Aquisto served as an apprentice to the world renowned John D'Angelico in the early 1950s and was considered his successor after D'Angelico's death in 1964. The auction will feature three D'Aquisto arch-top guitars with carved bodies: A D'Aquisto New Yorker Special from 1968, ($30,000-50,000), a New Yorker Special from 1972 custom made for Grant Green, a fine guitarist and associate of Mr. Benson, ($50,000-70,000), and a model Excel from 1982 ($30,000-50,000).
“George Benson is a guitarist with consummate musical taste and unmatched technique, and is acknowledged to be the most popular guitarist in jazz history," said David Bonsey, Fine Musical Instruments Department director at Skinner, Inc. “The guitars being offered were an integral part of his sound that is universally recognized for its warmth, fluidity, and rich quality."
Two more of the guitars offered are his treasured keepsakes. A Gibson L-5 Custom from c.1964 features double provenance: It was previously owned by Benson's idol Wes Montgomery, often considered the most innovative of modern Jazz guitarists. The L-5 was featured on the Wes Montgomery album cover, “Movin' Wes" (Verve, 1964) and was also played on his album “Goin' Out of My Head" (Verve, 1965). Estimate is $20,000-30,000.
Also to be featured from George Benson's collection is a Gibson “Johnny Smith" model from 1976 ($7500-8500). Mr. Benson used this model for much of his tours throughout the 1970's and 80's and for his 1976 album “Breezin'", the largest selling jazz album of all time. Completing the offering are over forty vintage American guitars of the most desirable models and periods in exceptionally fine condition. The offering includes Martin guitars from 1836 through 1942 (including a Martin OM-28 from 1930, ($24,000-30,000), Fender guitars from 1953 through 1971, Gibson guitars including Les Paul models from 1955, 1957 and 1959, a model L-5 from 1924 signed by Lloyd Loar, and many unique and rare arch-tops, flat-tops, and solid bodies. Rounding out the selection are extremely rare examples by Gretsch from the 1950's.
In addition, the auction will feature fine Italian string instruments including a viola by Giuseppe Guadagnini, Pavia, 1792 ($120,000-160,000). Work of this maker is exceedingly rare, and this exceptional small viola is in a pure state. It produces a deep dark sonorous sound combined with ease of playing. A Neapolitan violin by the Gagliano family from c. 1820 is in a very pure state of preservation, in near pristine condition with an outstanding quality of sound ($30,000-50,000). Excellent modern Italian instruments include a 1915 example by Enrico Rocca of Genoa ($90,000-120,000) and a pristine Giuseppe Fiorini from 1924 ($35,000-50,000). Featured bows are by Sartory, Lamy, Ouchard, Tourte and Kittel.
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner's appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
