Heritage to Auction a Pair of Classic Guitars!

DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers (HGA) will offer two very special guitars in their upcoming Signature auction to be held October 8, 2005 in their Dallas, Texas headquarters. One was played by legendary country star Hank Williams the other was owned by rock star Greg Lake.

"These are fabulous instruments," said Doug Norwine, Director of HGA's Music and Entertainment auctions. "The guitar played by Hank Williams is one of the last Martin 00-42 style guitars ever made. It was actually owned by Martin Beasley, a member of a Country music band called The Southern Serenaders. Performing on a radio program, The Farmer Jim Show, they were joined by a very special guest one morning in 1950: a lean and lanky Country singer-songwriter named Hank Williams. Williams never traveled with a guitar -- he would just play whatever was available. On that fateful day, this 00-42 Martin owned by Beasley was 'handy' and Hank played three songs on it - 'Lost Highway,' 'I'm a Long Gone Daddy,' and a new song, 'Long Gone Lonesome Blues.' In fact, 'Long Gone Lonesome Blues, which became a Number One hit and one of William's signature tunes, had its public debut that day, played on this very guitar."

"The other instrument is a beautiful custom Gibson acoustic guitar, with decorative pearl inlays on the neck and soundboard and a heart-shaped soundhole, made for Greg Lake," Norwine continued. "Lake, best known as a member of the popular groups Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, and King Crimson, as well as a solo artist of great renown, played this guitar as a member of Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band, and photos of Lake playing it accompany the instrument, as does its original hard case."

"These instruments are truly important pieces of music and entertainment history," said Norwine, "and either would make a wonderful addition to any collection. Both instruments still have lots of beautiful music left in them, just waiting for a new owner to bring it out."

The Hank Williams guitar has a pre-auction estimate of $35,000 - $40,000, while the Greg Lake guitar bears a pre-auction estimate of $20,000 - $25,000.

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end entertainment and music memorabilia are invited to call Doug Norwine at 1-800-872-6467 ext. 452 or John Hickey at 1-800-872-6467 ext. 264 to discuss their material. Or visit HeritageGalleries.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Doug Norwine at DougN@HeritageGalleries.com or John Hickey at JohnH@HeritageGalleries.com.

Movie poster consignors, please call Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367 or email GreySm@HeritageMoviePosters.com.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HeritageGalleries.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit HeritageGalleries.com to order by email.