Les Paul’s “Number One” On Display at Christie’s New York

The Public will Have the Chance to See the Priceless Gibson Les Paul October 9 - 12

Iconic Guitar to be Auctioned October 13 at 10:00 a.m. EST

October 7, 2021, New York...Les Paul’s personal “Number One” guitar, the first approved Gibson Les Paul model that Les has owned and played for years, is going to auction at Christie’s in New York on October 13, 2021. The guitar will be on display to the public October 9 - 12, at their showroom at 20 Rockefeller Plaza.

This 1952 Goldtop, which is credited as the foundation of rock and roll and is being hailed as perhaps the most valuable guitar in the world, is featured as lot number 1 in Christie’s much anticipated Exceptional Sale. With its undeniable historical impact, industry insiders and aficionados expect the guitar to break all previous auction records.

“It would not surprise me at all if this dislodges the Kurt Cobain Martin for the top honors [as the highest-selling guitar at auction],” shared auction expert Sheila Gibson Stoodley of The Hot Bid. “It’s Les Paul’s Les Paul! It’s more comparable to Paul Newman’s Paul Newman Rolex [sold for $17.8 million], except Paul Newman didn’t personally design the Paul Newman Rolex.”

The “Number One” was the first of its kind, the culmination of nearly three decades of work, experiments, and dedication by Les Paul in collaboration with Gibson Guitars. The instrument was nothing short of revolutionary; it led to the creation of an entire genre and musical movement. It will be featured this weekend (10/10) on CBS Sunday Morning in a story by Anthony Mason.

Christie’s Exhibition Hours:
Saturday, October 9 – 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, October 10 – 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Monday, October 11 – 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, October 12 – 10 a.m. -5 p.m.

The auction will take place on Wednesday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m. EST.

For more information:
LesPaul1.com
Christie’s