LAST CHAPTER (?)
Photo courtesy of Bonhams, London
“After nearly thirty years since my brother Rory’s passing, I now believe it’s time for other people to cherish Rory’s ‘orphaned’ 1961 Fender Stratocaster and the rest of his incredible instrument collection.
Since 1995, I have always felt that there was a mission to be fulfilled to cement Rory’s legacy and further widen the knowledge of his music.
So, following much deliberation and reviewing of all options, in what is one of the most difficult and sensitive decisions to reach, I have decided to facilitate the release of his instruments for sale, so that these emblems of his legacy can be enjoyed by others.”
It is difficult to separate or even begin to quantify the depth of relationship Rory had with his instruments, this decision is one I recognise as challenging for some, however, with the proceeds raised from this instrument sale we will continue to do further good for Rory’s name and legacy, as well as assisting good causes, that my brother would have supported.”
Dónal Gallagher, July 7th, 2024 on www.RoryGallagher.com web site
I learned this news lately (by the end of July), and as soon as I read it, I decided I should be there!!! A difficult task, because my wife, Annick, was not particularly a fan of Rory ;-)
Monday, July 29th
Took first contact by email with Bonhams, London ; one of the most famous British auction (since 1793!)
Photo courtesy of Bonhams, London
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« Hi Jacques,
Thank you for your email.
No, you do not need to book to come to the view, you do not need to reserve a seat for the sale. Looking forward to seeing you on the view and at the sale!
Best wishes, »
Rebecca Anthony, Associate Specialist Popular Culture & Science
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« Hi Jacques,
My colleague Rebecca passed on your details. I can confirm we would be happy for you to photograph the collection during the view. If you ask for me at reception we would happily show you around.
Many thanks, »
Sasha Thomas, Senior Press Officer
Photo: courtesy of Bonhams
`Sasha Thomas, Senior Press Officer at Bonhams presents the world famous 61 Fender Statocaster
Wednesday, October 16th, 10:18 AM
THE VIEW
So here we are:
Bonhams, 101, New Bond Street London, England.
The huge poster in front of the entrance, make my heart beats quicker and bigger. I take my breath, ask my wife to take a few photographs of this moment and goes straight to the reception desk.
I present myself and ask for Sasha Thomas, Senior Press Officer at Bonhams. She is unfortunately not available for the present...
I go down to second basement and though the double doors. In a large room with walls hung with black stage curtains stands more than sixty guitars hung to the walls.
© Annick Mouchet 2024
The impression to enter some kind of cathedral dedicated to the souvenir of our dear Rory. In the middle of the room, placed on a platform: THE guitar. Probably the most famous ’61 Fender Stratocaster of the Rock History!
I approach and, what I feared happens: I am overcome by emotion and cannot hold back my tears… All my teen comes back straight to my throat.
I slowly breath to get the emotion out, and to occupy my thoughts take pictures of the guitars on the wall. I get the feeling to be in some kind of family surrounded by grey and white hairs of old Rory’s fans.
One of them, in front of the Stratocaster sum up the situation: we are in front of Mona Lisa.
© Annick Mouchet 2024
© Jacques Mouchet 2024
THE SALE
© Jacques Mouchet 2024
Thursday, Octobre 17th, 02:10 PM
Yesterday, the girl at reception desk told me: « come early, they should be a lot of people »…
Nobody on the street, nobody at the reception, nobody in the stairs to basement… A lot of people are already seated in the room.
My wife and I find a second row on the left, close to the guichet of Bonhams telephone and computer’s team.
Less we could say: we can feel that there is a lot of electricity in the air.
3:00 AM
With a Britanic precision, auction begin.
Mr Harvey Cammell will be our elegant auctioneer. He has now entered in Rory’s History as
‘‘The man who sold the Rory Gallagher collection’’
© Jacques Mouchet 2024
A few minutes later, his sense of humor and brilliant way to ‘’work the croud’’ of buyers will not have no more secret for us. He made the show, A master auctioneer show, I am sure any Rory’s fan appreciated as I did.
He began by a sensible presentation of Rory, welcome the buyers in the room and all around the world with the worldwide live view video of the sale.
Price of sales fly away. I have a special attention to the instruments I saw live on stage in the hands of Rory: his Martin Mandolin on who he played his song ‘’Too Much Alcohol’’ adjudge £40,000 ! His National Triolian Resonator guitar (‘’Going To My home Town’’ instrument) went £75,000 ; His Martin D35 guitar (‘’Out On The Western Plains’’) £80,000!!!
Lot 50: the 1966 white Fender Telecaster I took the picture of in the hands of Rory (back to 1981 at Olympia, Paris) flies to £65.000 (equivalent of 100.000 €with VAT).
06:15 PM
And… lot 62. THE guitar! Sale began at… £450.000! 38 seconds later price will be blocked and sold for a hammer price of… 700.000! More than one million € with VAT!!!
« what a special day it was and a real privilege to take the sale. I was delighted that we found a new home for every single lot! »
Harvey Cammell
ALL’S WEEL THAT ENDS WELL
Good BBC news: THE Stratocaster will go back home in Ireland! Probably the biggest dream of any Rory’s fan!
The guitar was bought by Live Nation Gaiety Ltd, founded by Cork native promoter Denis Desmond, with plans to donate it to the National Museum of Ireland.
They said:
« It is hard to put into words but I know to a lot of people this means a lot. There are tens of thousands of Rory fans out there who are very happy. There is a lot of love out there for Rory Gallagher and it is great to see. He is an icon.
The guitar is going to stay in Ireland and it will end up in Cork, that is important. We haven’t figured out where yet but we will.
My wife, Caroline and Mike Adamson (MD of Live Nation Ireland) got talking about the upcoming auction and agreed it would be great to keep the guitar in Ireland.
The head of the global Live Nation business, Michael Rapino also got behind the planned purchase. He said that calls were made and the Arts Minister Catherine Martin and the National Museum came on board.
The first band that he ever worked with was Sleepy Hollow when they were a support act to Rory Gallagher in 1974, and I promoted a Rory Gallagher tour in December 1983/January 1984.
Rory’s brother, Donal has done an incredible job in managing Rory’s estate and keeping the legacy alive.
Denis Desmond, Live Nation Gaiety Ltd
« My family has 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 »
Dónal Gallagher
« I am absolutely delighted that Rory’s guitar is coming home to Ireland. My Department has been working closely with the National Museum to bring this about. The successful acquisition, in association with the NMI, is hugely welcome. Since the sale of the Rory Gallagher collection was announced, I have shared in the enthusiasm of the nation, and music fans in particular, that Rory’s iconic guitar would be secured as an inspirational addition to our national heritage collection and a testimonial to his many achievements. Rory Gallagher was instrumental in establishing Ireland on a global stage as a centre for rock music. Rory achieved success around the world with his authentic blues based style and was beloved by fans for his many albums and legendary live performances...
The generous donation to the museum will not only allow the famous instrument to be protected for future generations and musicians, but will also attract visitors from far and wide. I look forward to hearing more of the museum’s plans to showcase the famous Strat, which I understand will include Cork, where the legendary musician grew up. »
Catherine Martin, Irish Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
THE ''BEST SELLERS''
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