Western Morning News (Saturday)
It’s music to your ears
LAY’S Auctioneers second dedicated music sale; ‘All Things Music’ will be held at its recently opened Lanner saleroom in mid Cornwall on March 23. It is a wonderfully eclectic mix of musical instruments, rare vinyl, hi-fi equipment, plus some fabulous rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia that’s sure to have collectors rubbing their hands with glee.
There is a collection of hi fi equipment which belonged to a horologist, who was also radio operator during WWII. He continued his passion for tinkering with radios throughout his life. For Guy Harandon and Bobby Warrington, Lay’s music sale managers, the star lot amongst his items is a Garrard model 301 Transcription Motor turntable which has had skillful and interesting modifications. First produced in 1954, they describe the Garrard 301 as a “special and scarce piece of audiophile history in pristine condition.” It carries an auction estimate of £300-500.
Lay’s sales regularly carry a wide selection of musical instruments, notably guitars, and the 2007 Gibson limited edition SG Special SG-3 electric guitar in lot 75 is a particularly fine instrument. Fitted with Fender-style pick-ups, it bridges the gap between Gibson and Fender, making it the ‘perfect combo’. One of only 400 made, it comes with its original hard case and has an estimate of 800-1200.
There are many autographed records and posters in the sale, but a child’s denim jacket from the Hard Rock Cafe in Vegas, has to be one of the more unusual items. Originally owned by an eight-year-old young lady called Abi, who lived in the States while her military father was working in the Vegas area. She was a weekly visitor to the Hard Rock Cafe and over time she met an astonishing number of musicians and actors, Madonna, Cher, Meat Loaf, Steve Tyler, Van Halen, Bono, Axl Rose, The Monkees, Celine Dion and many more all obligingly autographed her jacket and now you can bid on this remarkable piece of rock n roll memorabilia for £300-500.
For the cataloguers, the stand-out lots amongst the vinyl are the collections of one vendor, whose records are in such wonderfully pristine condition, they feel like they’ve just come off the presses at Sun Records in the early 1950s.
The sale can be viewed in person on Saturday, March 18, 9am to 1pm, and Monday 20, Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, 9am to 5pm. Or view the sale online at www. davidlay.co.uk.