January 27, 2005
Auction to Feature Three Fender Stratocasters Owned by Jimi Hendrix
The Cooper Owen auction house in London, England, has announced that three Fender Stratocasters believed to have been owned by Jimi Hendrix will be included in a Jimi Hendrix memorabilia auction to be held by Cooper Owen on February 16, 2005, at the Hard Rock Cafe in London.
[Note: The lot numbers and information provided below are subject to change. Please visit the Cooper Owen website or contact them at auctions@cooperowen.com for updated information. Images copyright 2005, Cooper Owen. All rights reserved. Courtesy of Cooper Owen.]
Images of and information about the three Stratocasters to be auctioned as provided by Cooper Owen:
A circa 1960 / 61 Sunburst Fender Stratocaster guitar serial number 72961 owned and used by Jimi Hendrix
[Lot #318 description] An extensively, concert played and studio used Sunburst Fender Stratocaster given to Bob Levine by Jimi Hendrix. This unusual, rare 1961 Stratocaster was probably one of the most used Sunbursts through 1967 and 68. The guitar can be seen on MAy 11th 1967 where the Experience performed in Paris at a Live TV recording for the French Pop programme Music Hall de France and photographed by Jean-Pierre Leloir. The guitar appears once again in France on January 29th 1968 where the Experience are supported by Eric Burdon at the Olympia, Paris. The distinctive photograph on page 97 of the Genesis book Classic Hendrix, shows a full face photograph of Jimi with this legendary instrument. The 1961 screw attachments of the scratchplate and the abrasions to the body clearly identify this instrument as one of Jimi's most favourite guitars. [Auction house notes] The lot is accompanied by a letter from Bob Levine confirming the guitars authenticity. Bob Levine and his wife Kathy worked closely with Hendrix in the US, Bob was a key member of Hendrix' management team, working with him from 1967 until 1970, acting as 'power broker' controlling Jimi's American enterprises. It was Bob who took the call from Jerry Stickells in London to Jeffrey & Chandler Inc. offices in New York on 18 September 1970 telling of Jimi's death. Kathy Levine (then Eberth) was Jimi's P.A. and confidante from 1968 to 1970. Auction estimate: £80,000-100,000 [Reserve: 80,000]  |
1965 white Fender Stratocaster serial number L89024, owned and used by Jimi Hendrix
[Lot #319 description] An extensively, concert played and studio used signature white Fender Stratocaster, documented in many biographies showing photos of Jimi, the guitar bears the marks of Jimi's unique style and left handed play The instrument was given to Bob Levine by Jimi. This guitar was one of seven guitars that Jimi had on standby at his legendary Woodstock performance. Bob Levine, the American Tour Manager for the Experience, collected two of the guitars, including this one and took them back to New York after the Woodstock performance. Some of the best photographs of Jimi with this, one of his favourite guitars, can be seen in the Genesis Publication Classic Hendrix where the guitar with its unique wear markings can be seen on page 72 during the Monkees Tour in 1967, photographed by Jerry Schatzeberg and also in July 67 at the Rheingold Festival, Central Park, New York photographed by Linda McCartney and in September 1968 the guitar is seen whilst Jimi played an outstanding set at the Hollywood Bowl Los Angeles California. After using this guitar at many legendary concerts during 67 and 68 including the Woburn Festival Jimi upgraded his small headstock Fenders to the larger models. [Auction house notes] This guitar is accompanied by the strongest provenance of a Hendrix guitar ever to come up for auction. The lot is accompanied by a letter from Bob Levine confirming the guitars authenticity. Bob Levine and his wife Kathy worked closely with Hendrix in the US, Bob was a key member of Hendrix' management team, working with him from 1967 until 1970, acting as 'power broker' controlling Jimi's American enterprises. It was Bob who took the call from Jerry Stickells in London to Jeffrey & Chandler Inc. offices in New York on 18 September 1970 telling of Jimi's death. Kathy Levine (then Eberth) was Jimi's P.A. and confidante from 1968 to 1970. Auction estimate: £150,000-200,000  |
Jimi Hendrix left-handed sunburst Fender Stratocaster, serial number L-38705, in original hard case
[Lot #320 description] The only left-handed guitar used by Jimi known to exist, given to him by roadie Eric Barrett only a month before he died, and used by him in his apartment. [Auction house notes] The guitar is accompanied by a hand-written letter on Electric Lady Studios notepaper dated 1986, describing how an Engineer who started working there after Jimi's death, in 1971 came to have it. He explains that he and Gerry Stickells went to roadie Eric Barrett's apartment to collect a few things, he saw the guitar and knowing Barrett did not play himself asked who owned it. Barrett explained it had been Jimi's and that he had only had it for a short time. Barrett was moving back to the U.K. and said to avoid the hassle of transporting it back, would sell it. Auction estimate: £60,000-80,000  |
Other guitars to be auctioned
Source: Cooper Owen
Lot 321: Jimi Hendrix limited edition Monterey Stratocaster guitar
Limited edition, Fender Stratocaster guitar hand, hand built at the Fender Custom Shop, California and painted by Pamelina Hovatanian to re-create the guitar that Jimi burned during the Experience's American debut at Monterey in 1967. Only 210 of this model were built
Auction estimate: £5,000-6,000
Lot 322: Jimi Hendrix replica Woodstock Fender Stratocaster, 1997
Unique features include a large late '60s style large headstock, maple-cap fingerboard and reverse staggered vintage pickups and and Alder body, Bolt-on Maple Neck, Laminated Maple Fingerboard, 21 Frets, 3 way selector switch, 2 tone and 1 volume controls, Olympic white finish, Psychedelic strap and Vintage coil cord. The property of Virgil Thermin.
Auction estimate: £800-1,200
Lot 323: Fender bass guitar from the collection of Noel Redding, signed on the body
[Lot description not yet available.]
Auction estimate: £800-1,000
