The iconic 1961 Fender Stratocaster, played by renowned Irish rock and blues guitarist Rory Gallagher throughout his career, has been sold at auction for more than £889,000.
Gallagher, widely celebrated as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, originally purchased the instrument for just £100 in 1963.
The auction took place at Bonham’s in London, where the hammer fell at £700,000. With the premium added, the final sale price reached £889,400. The guitar was part of a collection of Gallagher’s instruments and memorabilia auctioned by his estate, which had set a reserve price between £700,000 and £1 million.
The identity of the buyer has yet to be disclosed.
Born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Gallagher spent part of his childhood in Londonderry. He first gained prominence with his band, Taste, in the late 1960s.
Gallagher’s albums have sold over 30 million copies worldwide, solidifying his legacy in the music industry. He passed away in June 1995 at the age of 47.
There had been speculation regarding a potential purchase by the Irish state, with Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin indicating that national cultural institutions might engage in the process. “The national cultural institutions have a role in this, and we will let them engage in the process,” he said.
In 2018, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Gallagher’s birth, the Central Bank of Ireland issued a commemorative coin celebrating his contributions to music.
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