Music memorabilia to go under hammer at New York auction
(L-R) A Gibson Firebird guitar that belonged to Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd, a single owner 1952 Gibson Les Paul gold top, Jason Becker's "Numbers" guitar and Eddie Van Halen's Kramer Stryper guitar are seen on stands ahead of the "Century of Music" auction held at Guernsey's auction house in New York City, New York, U.S., July 6, 2021. (REUTERS Photo)


The New York auction house Guernsey’s will put up personal and music-inspired items from famous 20th-century acts and events on sale next week. The "Century of Music" auction, which will present memorabilia from the Woodstock Festival, the Beatles, Van Halen and Lynyrd Skynyrd, will take place July 14-15.

Surprising auction items include former U.S. President Bill Clinton's saxophone and the doors from New York's Hotel Chelsea where Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Jerry Garcia once lived. Also featured are Benny Goodman's clarinet, and a guitar used by the late Eddie Van Halen who gave his rock band its name and sound. "This was a handmade original and so it certainly should bring a six-figure amount, one would think," said Arlan Ettinger, president of Guernsey's Auction.

Arlan Ettinger, president and founder of Guernsey's auction house, holds a clarinet owned by Benny Goodman ahead of their "Century of Music" auction in New York City, New York, U.S., July 6, 2021. (REUTERS Photo)
The thumbprint of guitar player Jason Becker is seen on his "Numbers" guitar at Guernsey's auction house ahead of their "Century of Music" auction in New York City, New York, U.S., July 6, 2021. (REUTERS Photo)

Original photos and slides of the 1969 Woodstock concert taken onstage by the official photographer Barry Levine are up for sale, along with the Leica still camera he used to record the event. Other items include original works by John Lennon and guitars owned by Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney.

Proceeds from guitars once owned by Jason Becker will go toward the medical costs of the musician's battle with ALS, a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control.