A remarkable auction featuring the guitars and memorabilia of legendary guitarist Jeff Beck has achieved a staggering total of £8.73 million. The sale, held on Thursday, included over 130 items from Beck's illustrious nearly six-decade career.
Among the highlights were two guitars that sold for more than £1 million each. The 1954 Oxblood Gibson Les Paul, famously seen on the cover of Beck's 1975 album Blow By Blow, was estimated to sell for £500,000 but fetched an impressive £1.06 million. Another standout, the Stratocaster Fender known as Anoushka, which Beck used from 1999 to 2014, sold for £1 million, far exceeding its initial estimate of £20,000 to £30,000.
Despite its wear and a small crack from a co-headlining tour with Carlos Santana, Anoushka sparked fierce bidding, culminating in a nine-minute battle that drove its final price to £1,008,000—50 times its pre-sale low estimate.
Beck's wife, Sandra, expressed her joy at the auction's success, highlighting the strong connection between Jeff and his fans. Proceeds from the last four auction lots, including a guitar signed by music icons such as Sir Rod Stewart and Eric Clapton, will benefit Folly Wildlife Rescue, an organization supported by Beck and his close friend, actor Johnny Depp.
Amelia Walker, Christie's head of private and iconic collections, praised the auction results as a testament to Beck's enduring legacy as a rock legend. Beck passed away in January 2023 at the age of 78, leaving behind a rich musical history and eight Grammy Awards.