Mark Knopfler’s revered guitar collection has achieved a phenomenal total of $11,227,003 at Christie’s London, a sum described as “staggering” by the auction house itself, seemingly exceeding even their own expectations. The auction, which was 100% sold, saw a new auction record set for Knopfler’s 1959 Vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard, fetching an incredible £693,000, approximately $876,000.
Christie’s highlighted the global interest in the auction, noting that registered bidders from 61 countries participated in the event. The intense competition across the 122 lots offered extended the auction to over six hours, demonstrating the extraordinary demand for instruments from Knopfler’s collection.
While the $876,000 price tag for the 1959 Gibson Les Paul ‘Burst has garnered significant media attention – and is undoubtedly a massive figure – it might not entirely shock hardcore vintage guitar aficionados, considering its prestigious provenance, celebrity association, and pristine condition.
It’s understood that private sales of ’Burst Les Pauls may have reached even higher prices, with rumors suggesting Kirk Hammett’s acquisition of Peter Green’s “Greeny” Les Paul approached $2 million, although Hammett himself has neither confirmed nor denied this specific amount. Nevertheless, Knopfler’s ’59 Les Paul has officially set a new public auction benchmark.
However, the truly astonishing aspect of the Mark Knopfler Guitar Auction was not solely the headline-grabbing ’59 Les Paul, but the consistently high values achieved across the entire collection. Guitar World, like many, anticipated strong results when Christie’s announced the auction, featuring iconic guitars such as Knopfler’s Brothers in Arms Les Paul, custom Suhr/Pensa creations, and his signature Schecter T-style guitar from Walk of Life. While anticipating that many lots would exceed their initially “enticingly low” guide prices, the actual outcome surpassed all reasonable predictions.
Knopfler’s first Les Paul reissue from 1983, famously used to create the iconic riff of Dire Straits’ Money For Nothing, serves as a prime example. Originally estimated at $12,500 – $18,000, this guitar soared to nearly $749,000 (£592,200) – an absolutely staggering sum for a Les Paul from the 1980s.
Similarly, his 1988 Pensa Suhr MK-1 reached approximately $637,000 (£504,000), and his Schecter Van Nuys T-style, intrinsically linked to Walk of Life, fetched close to $526,000 ($415,800). These prices represent approximately 100 times their pre-auction estimated values, underscoring the immense appeal of Knopfler’s instruments.
Mark Knopfler’s three most iconic electric guitars on the eve of their London auction – YouTube 
Promotional image for a YouTube video showcasing Mark Knopfler's most iconic electric guitars up for auction at Christie's London.
In total, an impressive 28 guitars within the 122-item auction exceeded the $100,000 mark. While no single lot entered the ranks of the most expensive guitars ever sold at auction, the collective value of Mark Knopfler’s collection is potentially unprecedented. It is highly likely, although yet to be definitively confirmed, that this auction represents the most valuable single-owner guitar collection ever sold.
Adding a charitable dimension to this landmark event, 25% of the auction proceeds will be donated to UK-based charities supported by Knopfler, including the British Red Cross, Tusk, and Brave Hearts of the North East. Furthermore, the final lot of the auction, a 2021 Gibson Les Paul goldtop reissue signed by an array of music legends – from Knopfler himself to David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Brian May, Slash, Tony Iommi, The Edge, Buddy Guy, Nile Rodgers, and Joe Bonamassa – raised a full $510,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The final lot details can be viewed here.
For a closer examination of three of the auction’s standout guitars – the Brothers In Arms Les Paul, the 1988 Pensa-Suhr, and the Schecter Van Nuys – Guitarist magazine offers a detailed video analysis. The complete auction catalog, including prices realized for each lot and further insights, is available on Christie’s website. The Mark Knopfler guitar auction at Christie’s London was not just a sale; it was a historic event, reflecting the profound legacy and enduring appeal of a guitar icon.
