An acoustic guitar used by Noel Gallagher to write Oasis's seminal second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, is expected to fetch up to £60,000 at Sotheby's. The Epiphone EJ-200, signed by Gallagher, will be a highlight of the auction house's April rock and pop sale.
The guitar, which comes with a letter of authenticity confirming its use during the album's recording, was given by Gallagher to a roadie and later acquired by the current seller, a devoted Oasis fan. Sotheby's pop culture specialist Craig Inciardi described such instruments as 'holy grails' for collectors, noting that their value has 'significantly increased over time'.
(What's the Story) Morning Glory? was recorded in just 15 days and became the bestselling British album of the 1990s, selling 22 million copies worldwide. Its tracklist reads like a greatest hits collection, including 'Wonderwall', 'Don't Look Back in Anger', 'Champagne Supernova', and 'Some Might Say'. The album also featured 'Roll With It', which sparked the infamous 'Battle of Britpop' with Blur's 'Country House'.
The guitar is being auctioned for the first time, with an estimate of $60,000-$80,000 (£45,000-£60,000). Online bidding opens on 9 April. Alongside the guitar, Sotheby's will offer a handwritten lyric sheet for 'Don't Look Back in Anger' and a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar used by Gallagher for a decade.
