By Salma El-Sakka
A white Fender American Vintage 1962 Reissue Stratocaster played by Johnny Marr after his departure from The Smiths is expected to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000 at a Gardiner Houlgate auction in Corsham, Wiltshire, on 8 December.
Guitar History
Marr used the instrument during his tenure with the band The The, which he joined in 1988, a year after The Smiths disbanded. The guitar appeared on stage during The The Versus The World tour in 1989 and 1990 and features in a film of the same name. The headstock is signed by Marr and accompanied by a handwritten postcard documenting its use.
Auction Details
Auctioneer Luke Hobbs said the valuation is based on recent sales of Marr's instruments, noting that his equipment is highly sought after by collectors and fans. A private owner purchased the guitar from Marr in 2020. Public viewing will be available on 4, 7, and 8 December at the saleroom.
Marr's Career and Market
Now in his sixties, Marr is described as a "national treasure" in the UK. Other guitars from his collection sold for nearly £4 million at a Christie's auction in London in September. Since launching his solo career with 2013's The Messenger, all his solo albums have reached the UK Top 10, and he has recently collaborated with artists including Gorillaz, Billie Eilish, Franz Ferdinand, and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.
Smiths Legacy
The Smiths, completed by singer Morrissey, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce, released four acclaimed studio albums between 1984 and 1987 before splitting in 1987. Both Marr and Morrissey have consistently ruled out a reunion, with Morrissey publicly demanding Marr stop mentioning him in interviews. In 2024, Marr confirmed he declined a lucrative reunion offer, stating the "vibe" was not right.
