Auction to Feature Thomas Binkley Collection of Historical Musical Instruments, Guitars from the Pinkburst Project, Selmer saxophone of Steve Lacy and fine fretted instruments and violins
Skinner, Inc. will host an auction of Fine Musical Instruments on May 1st at noon in its Boston gallery. The sale will feature over 450 lots including a large and varied offering of fretted instruments, violins, bows, cellos, woodwinds, and brass. Also to be offered are instruments from the Thomas Binkley Collection of Historical Musical Instruments and custom guitars and amps from the Pinkburst Project of Jay Jay French. The Selmer soprano saxophone of late jazz legend Steve Lacy is also a highlight of the sale.
The Pinkburst Project
The first segment of the sale is dedicated to the Pinkburst Project, a unique set of custom-made guitars and amplifiers commissioned by Jay Jay French of Twisted Sister and inspired by his iconic “pink sunburst” Les Paul. The custom models were created specifically for the Pinkburst Project by Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Paul Reed Smith, Roukangas and Martin. Guitar estimates range from $2,800 at the low end to $9,000 at the high. Amplifiers by Fender, Marshall, Vox, Mesa, Orange, Hartke and Diamond, along with a number of accessories, will be up for bid as well.
The Pinkburst Project was created to raise awareness about uveitis, the leading cause of blindness among American girls, and a disease that affects Jay Jay’s daughter Samantha. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation.
The Thomas Binkley Collection Renaissance and Baroque Period Instruments
The Thomas Binkley Collection of Historical Musical Instruments includes fine wind and fretted instruments of the Renaissance and Baroque period, along with reproductions by some of the leading makers of early musical instruments. The excellent work of the Von Huene Workshop of Boston, Peter Harlett, John Hanchet and the late Gunter Korber is well represented among these instruments, which were played by Mr. Binkley on his important and innovative recordings of early music. Also featured are two antique citterns from the British Isles: Lot 185 is a cittern or English guitar from maker William Gibson of Dublin, dating from 1712 and estimated at $600-$800; and an anonymous cittern from c. 1750 is estimated at $1,200-$1,400. Lot 186 is an Italian Pandurina, or soprano lute from c. 1620, attributed to Marinus di Magistro, with a back veneered in ivory and an display of inlaid pearl, ivory and ebony around its delicately carved rosette. The piece is estimated at $2000-$3,000.
Fretted Instruments
Included in the offerings of fine fretted instruments are three examples from C.F. Martin: Lot 34 is a Style 00-42 guitar from 1930 with all parts original, estimated at $4,000-$6000; Lot 35 is a 5K Ukulele from 1928 valued at $7,000-$9,000; and lot 35A is a D-18 Guitar from 1945, and is estimated at $10,000-$12,000. Featured from Gibson Inc. is Lot 38, an L-5 Guitar from 1934, whose sale will benefit the City Music program of Berklee College of Music, courtesy of award-winning actor/director/musician Christopher Guest. The guitar is estimated at $10,000-$12,000. Also from Gibson is an F-4 mandolin from 1927, Lot 39, valued at $4,000-$6,000; and a “Gold Top” Les Paul guitar from 1957, Lot 42, estimated at $60,000-$80,000. Vintage instruments from Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Fender, Guild, and Vega will also be sold.
Fine Violins, including Scarampella, Ventapane, Testore, and Banks
Fine violins include an outstanding example of Mantua maker Stefano Scarampella from 1917, Lot 55, which is estimated at $30,000-$50,000; a fine violin from Lorenzo Ventapane of Naples, c. 1810, Lot 58, estimated at $50,000-$70,000; a Milanese violin of Paolo Testore from 1740, Lot 61, valued at $65,000; and an outstanding example from English maker Benjamin Banks from c. 1775, Lot 60, estimated at $8,000-$12,000.
Steve Lacy’s Selmer Saxophone
Finally, Skinner is proud to present a special Selmer horn, the saxophone of Steve Lacy, composer, arranger and extraordinary instrumentalist. This Selmer Series lll saxophone was his instrument of choice for all performances and recordings from 1994 until his passing in 2004. Lot 42 is estimated at $10,000-15,000.
Catalog, Preview and Event Information
Previews for the auction will be Friday, April 29th, 12 to 7 p.m., Saturday, April 30th, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 1st, 9 to 10:30 a.m. On Friday, a reception featuring live music from Tomoko Omura Quartet will be held at 5:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. to 617-350-5400.
Illustrated catalog #2544B is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 508-970-3000 x3240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. Prices realized will be available at skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogs, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive!, Skinner’s live online bidding applet.
Image: Lot 38: American Guitar, Gibson Incorporated, Kalamazoo, c. 1934, Est. $10,000-12,000
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’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 Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass.
For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com
