Prince’s love of purple is well documented—and a guitar hitting the auction block only reinforces that fact.
A 1985 Sadowsky Telecaster made specifically for Prince is expected to hammer down for up to RM1.75 million next month. The metallic purple axe with floral artwork by Wayne Jarrett is one of the headlining pieces for Julien’s Auctions’ “Played, Worn, and Torn II” sale, taking place November 20 and 21 online and at Nashville’s Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
“Julien’s aptly named ‘Played Worn Torn II’ auction represents the GOAT of all music memorabilia as each item bears the insignia of rock greatness,” Darren Julien, the executive director and co-founder of the auction house, said in a statement. “One would be hard pressed to find any auction collection that was more iconic than this one.”
Prince’s electric guitar comes from his post–Purple Rain days, appearing in his 1985 music video for “America” and on stage during his 1986 Parade Tour. John Woodland, a historian of Prince’s guitars, said in a statement that “out of all six guitars Sadowsky made for Prince, the purple floral one saw the most use.” Prior to Prince’s 1988 Lovesexy Tour, the guitar ended up in the possession of Sheila E., who received a letter from Sadowsky confirming that serial number 179 was one of the guitars made for Prince.
Alongside the vivid-purple guitar, Julien’s is offering a selection of other history-defining instruments. Starring with Prince’s axe is a Futurama guitar that George Harrison played during the early days of the Beatles, estimated at RM2.63 Million to RM3.5 Million. Plus, there’s a 1990 Torino Red Fender Stratocaster signed and stage-played by Eric Clapton during his Journeyman Tour (RM219,000 to RM306,000) and a 1993 Ernie Ball Music Man electric guitar played by Eddie Van Halen that same year and signed by the then-members of Van Halen (RM263,000 to RM350,000).
Even if you’re not a collector of instruments, Julien’s is bringing to the auction block other pieces of music memorabilia. That includes a full-length Bob Mackie feather headdress worn by Cher (RM175,200 to RM263,000) and Johnny Cash’s Manuel black duster coat, which he wore on album covers (RM65,700 to RM87,600).
Prince fans, though, will be raring to get their hands on his perfectly purple Telecaster. And if you’re not lucky enough to win the bidding for that piece, you can try your luck at his signed handwritten notes related to the back cover of the Purple Rain album, estimated at up to RM52,560.
Photography: Julien’s Auctions
