Noel Gallagher's Guitar from Oasis's Iconic Album to be Auctioned

A significant piece of music history is set to be auctioned by Sotheby’s: a guitar used by Noel Gallagher to write songs for Oasis's second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. This auction, scheduled for April, will feature Gallagher's signed Epiphone EJ-200 acoustic guitar, alongside a handwritten lyric sheet for the hit song "Don’t Look Back in Anger" and a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar that Gallagher used for a decade.

The Guardian

Released in October 1995, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? became the bestselling British album of the 1990s, selling 350,000 copies in its first week and ultimately reaching 22 million in total sales. Despite initial criticism labeling it as “laboured and lazy,” the album's tracks, including "Wonderwall," "Champagne Supernova," and "Some Might Say," have since become iconic. The album's release coincided with the "Battle of Britpop," a rivalry between Oasis and Blur, which captivated the media and fans alike.

The Guardian

Noel Gallagher, the principal songwriter for Oasis, is recognized for his prolific songwriting during the band's early years. Craig Inciardi, a pop culture specialist at Sotheby’s New York, emphasized Gallagher's use of acoustic guitars in the songwriting process, noting the significance of the guitar being auctioned. The guitar was previously owned by a roadie who received it from Gallagher, and it is now being sold by a dedicated Oasis fan.

The Guardian

The auction will open for online bidding on April 9, with the guitar estimated to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000 (£45,000-£60,000). Inciardi described such guitars as "holy grails" for fans and collectors, highlighting their historical significance and the increasing value of musical instruments with notable provenance.

The Guardian

The rivalry between Oasis and Blur has been marked by real acrimony, contrasting with the more amicable comparisons often drawn between bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. This tension has contributed to the enduring legacy of both bands, with fans often divided in their loyalties.

The Guardian

• “It was quite extraordinary how they managed to record it in such a fast period of time,” — Craig Inciardi, Sotheby’s New York-based pop culture specialist.

The Guardian

• “These are functional objects that have become so sought after and the value of musical instruments that have this sort of historic provenance has significantly increased over time.” — Craig Inciardi, Sotheby’s New York-based pop culture specialist.

The Guardian

The auction of Noel Gallagher's guitar represents not only a chance for collectors to acquire a piece of music history but also a reminder of the cultural impact of Oasis and the era of Britpop.

The Guardian