Johnny Marr to Sell Iconic Guitars From His Music Legacy

WHO:

Billboard - Johnny Marr, musician and former guitarist for The Smiths.

BBC - Johnny Marr, who has also played with Billie Eilish.

WHAT:

Christie's - The auction will feature approximately 80 guitars and around 95 lots in total, with estimates ranging from £1,000 to £150,000.

Christie's - Johnny Marr will donate 100% of the hammer price of 10 lots to benefit The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society.

Billboard - Johnny Marr is set to auction a historic guitar collection.

BBC - A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to two charities of Marr's choice.

BBC - Marr expressed that the idea of the guitars going back into storage seemed very weird after photographing and showcasing them.

WHERE:

Billboard - The auction will take place at Christie’s in London.

WHEN:

Christie's - The auction is scheduled for 17 September 2026.

Christie's - Highlights of the collection will be on public view in New York from 25 June to 1 July.

Christie's - A headline European tour will begin on 28 June, culminating with Marr's biggest ever solo headline show at London's OVO Arena Wembley on 24 October.

Billboard - The auction date has not been specified in the articles.

WHY:

BBC - Marr's motivation for the auction stems from his desire to avoid the guitars returning to storage after a period of showcasing them.

HOW:

Christie's - Several guitars in the collection were used during the recording of Johnny Marr's new album The Age Of Everything.

BBC - Marr took the guitars out and photographed them for a book and events before deciding to auction them.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 20:05 UTC)

A major auction featuring approximately 80 guitars and around 95 lots is set to take place at Christie's on September 17, 2026, with estimates ranging from £1,000 to £150,000. Highlights of the collection will be on public view in New York from June 25 to July 1, and Johnny Marr will kick off a headline European tour on June 28, culminating in his biggest solo headline show at London's OVO Arena Wembley on October 24. Notably, Marr will donate 100% of the hammer price from 10 lots to benefit The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society, with several guitars in the collection used during the recording of his new album, The Age Of Everything.

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(UPDATED June 22, 2026 18:27 UTC)

Johnny Marr, the talented musician and former guitarist for The Smiths, is preparing to auction a historic collection of guitars at Christie’s in London. A portion of the proceeds from this sale will be donated to two charities of Marr's choice, as he feels it would be strange for the guitars to return to storage after being showcased and photographed for a book and events. While the specific date for the auction has not yet been announced, Marr's motivation to share these instruments with others is clear.