Gordon Lightfoot’s 1967 Gibson, His Co-Star on No. 1 Hit Record ‘Sundown,’ Sells for $350,000 at Heritage Auctions

Revered Canadian singer-songwriter’s collection tops $1.3 million as fans vied for guitars, photos, wardrobe – and the small writing desk he took everywhere DOWNLOAD DIGITAL PRESS KIT DALLAS, Texas (Nov. 19, 2024) — When the sun set Sunday on Heritage’s Gordon Lightfoot Estate Collection Music Memorabilia Signature® Auction, one of the revered singer-songwriter’s most beloved acoustic guitars had sold for $350,000. That should come as no surprise, as it was the 1967 Gibson B45-12 Sunburst that accompanies Lightfoot on the cover of his 1974 album Sundown, his lone chart-topping release in the United States and the record that spawned the smash hit of the same name. There were numerous guitars in this auction, among them a 1963 Gibson B45-12 Sunburst that realized $93,750 and a one-of-a-kind 1975 Ed McGlincy Custom Natural acoustic that sold for $55,000. But the 1967 Gibson sparked a prolonged bidding war befitting its place of prominence: Not only does it sit next to Lightfoot on the album’s cover like an old friend, but it was an onstage favorite upon which the writer and performer of “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “If You Could Read My Mind” composed the songs that made him “a top artist of the 1970s,” as The New York Times wrote upon his death last year. “Its final price certainly came as no surprise,” says Heritage’s Director of Entertainment and Multimedia Garry Shrum. “Eventually, it went to a gentleman in the room who was sent to Dallas on behalf of several Canadian collectors who I met at the Lightfoot tribute at Massey Hall in May — and who are the coolest and loveliest people you will ever meet. We’re especially pleased the guitar will remain in Canada, where Gordon is revered as a national treasure.” The auction was filled with guitars, set lists, photos and personal items belonging to the man about whom Bob Dylan once said, “Every time I hear a song of his, it’s like I wish it would last forever.” And everything in the auction found a new home: Its 136 lots realized $1,313,719 thanks to the more than 1,250 bidders who participated worldwide. “We were extraordinarily pleased with the auction results,” Shrum says. “It exceeded our expectations. You always hope for something like this. But it was perfect. And we’re thrilled to offer more from his collection in the December 8-9 Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Showcase Auction.” Indeed, more than 40 Lightfoot lots are in that event now open for bidding, among them the Recording Industry Association of America’s gold sales award presented to Lightfoot celebrating Sundown’s success. It’s accompanied by a framed page from the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with “Sundown” circled in the top spot. Other highlights from Sunday’s auction included Lightfoot’s 2012 Songwriters Hall of Fame Award, which realized $35,000, and an extraordinary collection of 14 photos in which he’s joined by Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tony Bennett, Kris Kristofferson, James Taylor and other luminaries. The latter sold for $30,000, seemingly a steal for such a who’s-who of immortals. But one of the smallest items in the auction resulted in one of its biggest results: a small, beat-up wooden desk upon which he did his best work no matter where he found himself. It realized $16,250. “We knew his guitars, his awards, his photos, his onstage apparel would resonate with fans and collectors,” Shrum says. “But we were especially amazed by the response to his small writing desk, which he hauled around in his car, took to the studio and jam sessions, and used to write some of his most beloved songs. It proved one of the favorite pieces among this fantastic collection, which we were honored to present.” Click here for complete results from the November 17 Gordon Lightfoot Estate Collection Music Memorabilia Signature® Auction. Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world's largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Heritage also enjoys the highest Online traffic and dollar volume of any auction house on earth (source: SimilarWeb and Hiscox Report). The Internet's most popular auction-house website, HA.com, has more than 1,750,000 registered bidder-members and searchable free archives of 6,000,000 past auction records with prices realized, descriptions and enlargeable photos. Reproduction rights routinely granted to media for photo credit. For breaking stories, follow us: HA.com/Facebook and HA.com/Twitter . Link to this release or view prior press releases . Hi-Res images available: Robert Wilonsky, VP Public Relations and Communications 214-409-1887 or RobertW@HA.com