Elvis Presley & Noel Gallagher's Legendary Guitars headline Sotheby's New York Rock & Pop Sale
This month, Sotheby’s New York will bring together two of rock history’s most celebrated and iconic instruments for its inaugural Rock & Pop sale.
Elvis Presley’s cherry-red Hagstrom guitar from the legendary ’68 Comeback Special and Noel Gallagher’s signed acoustic guitar from Oasis’s (What's the Story) Morning Glory? sessions will share the spotlight under one roof at The Breuer Building from 13-20 April. From the King of Rock in America to one of Britpop’s defining figures, these guitars represent pivotal moments in popular music, bridging generations and continents while celebrating the enduring power of rock. The guitars will headline the online sale, open for bidding from April 9 – 23.
This cherry-red Hagstrom Viking II electric guitar (est. $1 – 2 million) was played by Elvis Presley during the 1968 television special Singer Presents... Elvis, commonly known as the ’68 Comeback Special, which aired on NBC on 3 December 1968. Presley used the guitar during full band numbers and seated jam sessions, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Trouble,” and “Guitar Man.” A photograph of him playing this very guitar graced the cover of his 1969 album From Elvis in Memphis.
The ’68 Comeback Special marked Elvis’s return to live performance after a seven-year hiatus focused on films. It became the most-watched program of the television season, reinvigorating his career and cementing his enduring appeal to younger audiences.
Originally intended as a Christmas special by NBC and Presley’s manager, the program was reimagined by director Steve Binder into a concert format designed to capture contemporary trends in popular music and appeal to a younger audience. Filming commenced in June 1968 at NBC Studios in Burbank, with the special eventually airing in early December.
When rehearsals and early filming got underway, a guitar that Presley had brought with him did not stand out against the bold red and black set design. Seeking a more visually striking instrument, Binder and producer Bones Howe asked session guitarist Al Casey if Elvis could use his cherry-red Hagstrom instead. Casey obliged, and the rest is history.
A defining milestone in the King’s career, the ’68 Comeback Special remains one of the most iconic moments in popular music history. The now-iconic guitar has since been exhibited at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio (Artifacts of Hollywood & Music, July 1998–August 2000), and its legacy endures in contemporary portrayals, most recently in the 2022 film Elvis, where Austin Butler wields a similar cherry-red Hagstrom guitar.
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Noel Gallagher’s Epiphone EJ-200 acoustic guitar (est. $60,000-$80,000), signed and used while writing songs for Oasis’s iconic album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, played a central role in the creation of an album that became, in effect, a greatest hits collection, featuring “Wonderwall,” “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” “Champagne Supernova,” “Roll with It,” “Some Might Say,” and more. Oasis’ sophomore album (What's the Story) Morning Glory? was an instant smash hit that would come to define an entire musical movement. Arguably the most distinct and iconic release of the band’s discography, the guitar on offer was integral to its songwriting process. One of the crown jewels of Britpop, Morning Glory catapulted Oasis into international superstardom. Gallagher’s songwriting on the album, some of which took place on this very instrument, is both nostalgic and forward-looking, reflecting the band’s enduring influence across generations. That influence feels especially relevant today, as the band enjoys a renewed cultural spotlight. Following the long-awaited reconciliation of the Gallagher brothers, Oasis’s 2025 reunion tour introduced their music to a new generation while reconnecting longtime fans with the songs that defined an era. Earlier this year, at the BRIT Awards in Manchester, Gallagher was recognized as Songwriter of the Year. Accompanying the guitar in the sale are Gallagher’s handwritten manuscript for “Don’t Look Back in Anger” (estimate $30,000–40,000) and his 12-string Rickenbacker guitar (est. $60,000 - 80,000) — both standout pieces tied to the album and the artist’s legacy. Main Image: Elvis Presley's Hagstrom Guitar |