Christie’s announce the sale of Fine Musical Instruments on October 14. The sale will offer over 150 instruments ranging from an 18th century violin and cello by Giovanni Grancino, to an extraordinary Gibson mandolin, and to more contemporary guitars, including a C.F. Martin model designed in collaboration with Eric Clapton.
Guitars
Commencing the auction is an extensive range of fretted instruments from recognized makers such as Gibson, C.F. Martin and Herman Hauser Sr. and II. Highlights will include a Gibson mandolin, style F-5, 1923 (estimate: $70,000-90,000), a superior innovation with design advances by Gibson’s engineer, Lloyd Loar. With strong tonal articulation, this instrument is a seminal example of American mandolin design. In addition, the sale features a C.F. Martin guitar, style 000-28EC, 1996 (estimate: $3,000-5,000), a Signature Edition guitar designed in collaboration with Eric Clapton. Built to Clapton’s exacting specifications, these guitars have been in production since 1996 and this work is the first guitar of the edition.
For the classical collector, the sale offers guitars from German born makers, Hermann Hauser Sr and his son Hermann Hauser II. Hermann Hauser Sr., considered one of the finest non-Spanish guitar makers, is credited for innovations in the guitars’ top and body construction and his works are prized for their clear, rich sound. His son, Hermann Hauser II, shares the physical characteristics of his father’s works, but later began experimenting with size and different strutting layouts. His guitars remain coveted by players and collectors around the world. Their works include a classical guitar, Munich, 1940 (estimate: $100,000-150,000) and a classical guitar, Reisbach, 1968 (estimate: $15,000-25,000). Additional highlights include a classical guitar by Antonio Emilio Pascual Viudes, Buenos Aires, 1924 (estimate: $7,000-9,000) and a José Ramirez classical guitar, Madrid, 1904 (estimate: $8,000-12,000).
Stringed Instruments of the Violin Family
This season, Christie’s will offer a diverse selection from the violin family including violins, cellos and bows. One of the many highlights is a violin circa 1690 (estimate: $150,000-250,000) and a violoncello circa 1690 (estimate: $200,000-300,000) both created by Giovanni Grancino of Milan. Recognized as the most important Milanese maker of his time, Giovanni Grancino’s strong and elegant instruments were known to create clear and balanced tones highly admired among both collectors and musicians.
From Italy, the Gagliano family belonged to the heart of the Neapolitan violin making school and the balanced sound of their instruments. A violin made by Joseph Gagliano, 1777 (estimate: $75,000-100,000) is a fine example of workmanship with a beautifully carved scroll and distinct elegant body.
Image: Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Company, A Mandolin, Style F-5 Lloyd Loar Kalamazoo, MI, 1923. Estimate: $70,000-90,000. Photo: Christie’s Images Ltd 2011.
