What do Elvis Presley and Noel Gallagher have in common, apart from particularly dedicated fanbases? Guitars sold by both musicians are up for auction this month.
Sotheby’s New York announced Wednesday that the guitars would be part of the inaugural Rock & Pop sale at the auction house from Thursday (April 9) through April 23. Rock n’ roll icon Presley’s cherry-red Hagstrom Electric Guitar played during the 1968 Comeback Special joins the signed Epiphone EJ-200 acoustic Gallagher used while writing songs for the 1995 Oasis album “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” in this auction.
Presley’s guitar is estimated at $1-2 million and Gallagher’s is estimated at $60-$80,000. Bidding in the online auction opens Thursday, and the guitars will be on exhibition under the roof of the Breuer Building of Sotheby’s New York on Madison Avenue from April 13 through April 20.
“From the King of Rock in America to one of Britpop’s defining figures, these guitars represent pivotal moments in popular music, bridging generations and continents while celebrating the enduring power of rock,” said Sotheby’s. Music and pop culture specialist Craig Inciardi of Sotheby’s also called the instruments “cultural touchstones,” that each tell a story of the respective eras.
“It’s a rare moment in music history to see instruments of such monumental significance come together in one sale,” Inciardi said.
A photograph shows Presley playing the Hagstrom Viking II electric model is on the cover of his 1969 album “From Elvis in Memphis”. It can also be seen during the Comeback Special that aired on NBC. Sotheby’s noted that it actually belonged to session guitarist Al Casey, but Comeback Special director Steve Binder asked if Presley could use it since it stood out better against the bold set design than Presley’s own guitar. That special, and the guitar, are now part of history.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 09: Noel Gallagher performs at The Greek Theatre on June 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. He's using a similar guitar to the one up for auction.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesGallagher’s acoustic, featuring a pic guard with a flower design, “played a central role in the creation” of his band Oasis’ 1995 album featuring hits like “Champagne Supernova”, “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and “Wonderwall”, Sotheby’s said. “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” went on to “define an entire musical movement” called Britpop and rocketed Oasis to international superstardom, per the auction house.
“That influence feels especially relevant today, as the band enjoys a renewed cultural spotlight,” said Sotheby’s.
Like Presley’s hiatus from music before the Comeback Special, Oasis also took considerable time off due to tension between Noel and his bandmate (and brother), Liam Gallagher. In 2025, they embarked on a reunion tour.
“Accompanying the guitar in the sale are Gallagher’s handwritten manuscript for ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ (estimate $30,000–40,000) and his 12-string Rickenbacker guitar (est. $60,000 - 80,000) – both standout pieces tied to the album and the artist’s legacy,” Sotheby’s added.
Presley and Gallagher’s guitars aren’t the only pieces of music history up for auction during the Rock & Pop sale. Sotheby’s noted that Bruce Springsteen’s photomatched acoustic guitar, used to write “Born to Run”, David Bowie’s handwritten lyrics for “The Jean Genie”, a guitar belonging to Eric Clapton and a rare piece of Keith Moon’s iconic “Pictures of Lily” drum kit are just some of the other pieces.
Previously, Audacy has reported on a pair Presley’s blue suede shoes selling for $150,000 and an Eddie Van Halen guitar that Sotheby’s had up for auction. That Van Halen axe eventually sold for more than $2.7 million.
