BOSTON, Mass. – www.skinnerinc.com – Skinner, one of the nation’s leading auction houses, today announced that its semi-annual Fine Musical Instruments auction will be held on October 12th at noon in the Boston gallery. As in past sales, this auction proves Skinner as a reliable source of fine quality musical instruments for the trade, private musicians, and collectors alike.
Of significant note is a collection of vintage and rare American guitars. Expected to draw great interest is a 1951-52 Fender Telecaster (lot 29; est. $22/30,000), signed by Tadeo Gomez on Oct 28, 1951 – his 49th birthday. Gomez was a legendary craftsman and neck carver in the early years of Fender Electric Instruments, and his work is the most highly sought after of all in the Fender line. Featuring its original “poodle case”, it bears the serial number stamp 1040.
Another featured guitar is a 1956 Fender Stratocaster (lot 17, est. $20/30,000) with a lightweight ash body and blonde custom finish. The piece is in very good condition with a “soft V-profile neck, great sound, and its original “tweed” case. A 1955 Gibson Les Paul “Goldtop” (lot 18, est. $30/40,000) in almost un-played condition, from the original owner’s family, is another sale highlight.
Fine Gibson archtop guitars include a 1938 Gibson ES-150 (lot 33, est. $3,5/5,000) with “Charlie Christian” pickup; a 1957 L-5 CES (lot 31, est. $11/16,000) in excellent condition; and a 1958 ES-175 (lot 32, est. $6/8,000) with natural finish. Also featured is an “Excel” model cutaway archtop guitar from 1955 by John D’Angelico (lot 11, est. $8/10,000); interesting rarities by the Danelectro and Gretch companies; and a 1922 00-42 flat top guitar by Martin (lot 12, est. $10/15,000) with rosewood back and sides and beautiful abalone inlay.
Outstanding Italian violins include a work of Alessandro Gagliano (lot 48, est. $90/120,000), circa 1720, which was finished by a later generation of the Gagliano family. It is sold with the certificate of Kenneth Warren and Son of Chicago, and a letter of authenticity from W.E Hill & Sons, 1931. Also to be offered is a rare violin by Joseph Baldantoni of Ancona (lot 42, est. $50/70,000) from 1830, in super condition, with a beautiful one-piece flamed maple back. It is a fine concert instrument.
Violists will appreciate a fine offering by Joseph Nadotti of Piacenza (lot 44, est. $40/60,000) from 1782. This example measures a comfortable 16 inches and was the concert instrument of the late Sandor Salgo, Hungarian violinist, violist and conductor who settled in the US before WWII and taught at Princeton and Stanford Universities. Other Italian instrument highlights include a violin from Guadagnini family (lot 52, est. $12/18,000), c. 1800; violins by Romeo and Riccardo Antoniazzi; and an Italian violin from the workshop of Onorato Gragnani, Livorno, c. 1775 (lot 50, est. $18/20,000).
Finally, rounding out the sale is a very fine violoncello of the Neapolitan school, c. 1800, and attributed to the Gagliano family (lot 69, est. $30/50,000). Also to be offered are more than 100 bows including a violoncello bow by Joseph Henry of Paris, c. 1860, with certificate by Jean-Francois Raffin (lot 98, est. $18/22,000).
Previews and Catalog Information
Previews for the auction will be held on October 10th from 12 to 5 p.m., October 11th from 10:30 to 5 p.m. and on October 12th from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Illustrated catalog #2428 is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogs online.
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. 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, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com
