history for sale to highest bidder

     

 

From what I've heard, this is a fund-raiser for the Les Paul Foundation. Article copied from the Gibson website.

 

 

Les Paul’s Guitars and Gear Hit the Auction Block

Bryan Wawzenek

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03.29.2012

An amazing collection of Les Paul’s guitars, recording gear and more are set to go up for auction later this spring. Julien’s Auctions, in partnership with the Les Paul Foundation, will be auctioning these items on June 8-9, in celebration of what would have been Les’s 97^th birthday.
Among the guitars featured in the auction, according to a press release:
1968 Prototype Gibson Les Paul Custom Recording Model (Est. $60-$80,000). White flat top with Bigsby tail piece and note in Paul’s handwriting, reading, “Reward this is the property of Les Paul A.K.A. Lester William Polfuss…Mahwah, New Jersey USA…”


1927 Gibson L-5 Sunburst Cremona serial number 87230 (Est. $10-$15,000) This is one of the two L-5s purchased by Les Paul, then going by the name Rhubarb Red, at Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with his friend and bandmate Sunny Joe Wolverton in 1933.


1952 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop (Est. $14-$16,000) No serial number, Trapeze tailpiece, tuners have been changed to Grover’s, patent pending with original case. This is one of the very first Les Paul guitars produced. The back of the headstock is hand-signed, “Les Paul.”

The auction also will feature Les’s touring rig, collection of effects pedals, piano and 16-track recording machine. All items will be available for a free public exhibition from May 29 through June 8 at Julien’s Beverly Hills location. The live and online auction will take place during four sessions on June 8 and 9.
For more information, visit JuliensAuctions.com.
Photos are courtesy of Julien’s Auctions.

More Les

A few years back Les appeared at a $300.00 a plate dinner. I wanted to meet him so bad that I toyed with the idea of entering the look-alike contest for the chance. Myself and several judges waited... and waited, but no one showed up. A boy, a Waukesha alderman's son, did finally appear. He really looked the part, complete with guitar, and had no problem winning. I even helped him win by tying his tie.

Besides the fundraising dinner, Les was in town for the premier of his bio, Chasing Sound! playing in Milwaukee. I can't explain how I did it, but I got probably the last ticket to the last showing that evening. I sat up front and noticed a microphone on the seat in front of me. It wouldn't surprise me if Les came in to introduce the film, and that's exactly what happened - right in front of me.

It was after 11:00 when the film ended. Instead of heading home I thought I'd first try to find Les at the hotel I'd heard he might be staying at. When I saw a Gibson motorcoach out front I knew I found it. Must have been about 11:30 at this point. Asked at the desk if Les was around. Was told sure, upstairs, but it's late, I might have missed him. So close!

What I found was Les sucking a beer at a huge round table surrounded by autograph-seekers. I let them be and didn't immediately get in the queue. Some were taking advantage of the situation by asking him to sign guitars or multiple papers.

Les was in his 90s at this point and he didn't stop signing until everyone was satisfied... well after midnight! I was in awe. I would have done anything to meet him at the $300.00 dinner, and here I was in the right place at the right time to meet him for nothing. Priceless.