In celebration of the anniversary of his 97th birthday, Les Paul’s guitars, equipment and personal items will be auctioned June 8-9 of this year. Proceeds from the auction will fund the Les Paul Foundation.

Items in the auction include equipment, memorabilia, personal effects and instruments from Les’ early years to his weekly performances at New York’s Iridium Jazz Club. Among the items at the auction are:

1951 Fender Nocaster serial number 1751

Given to Les by Leo Fender. The back of the headstock is signed by Leo.

1927 Gibson L-5 Sunburst Cremona

This item is one of two Les purchased when he and bandmate Sunny Joe Wolverton traveled  to Gibson’s Kalamazoo factory in 1933.

1952 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

1952 Les Paul Goldtop

This item is one of the very first Les Paul guitars Gibson produced.

Boss BCB-6 Pedal Effects

Used by Les during his weekly shows at Fat Tuesday’s and later at the Iridium.

1955 Steinway & Sons Grand Model B piano

This item is from Les’ main recording studio in his Mahwah, NJ home.

1968 Prototype Gibson Les Paul Custom Recording Model

Pictured in Les’ autobiography, Les Paul in His Own Words.

1970s Ampex MM1000

This item is a sixteen track recording machine Les used in his home recording studio in Mahwah.

Late 1960s API Recording Mixing Console

This item has several modifications by Les.

Julien’s Auctions, which is managing the sale, is the premier celebrity and entertainment auction house of high profile celebrity and entertainment auctions. Past auctions include U2, Cher, Barbara Streisand and the estate of Marilyn Monroe. The live auction will take place at Julien’s Auctions Beverly Hills Gallery.

The public will be able to view the items at Julien’s Auctions gallery in Beverly Hills from May 29 – June 8.

Although many items will be auctioned, key artifacts from Les Paul remain in various museums across the United States and others are being held for future exhibits.

Julien’s Auctions