Paying $100,000 for a hunk of wooden would possibly sound insane, however is it actually if that piece of wooden was as soon as utilized by one in every of Britpop’s most well-loved figures on one of many style’s most defining albums?

We’re speaking concerning the Epiphone Les Paul utilized by Noel Gallagher throughout the ultimate periods for Undoubtedly Possibly at Sawmills studio in Cornwall – a guitar that, as Katherine Schofield of Sotheby’s explains, is extra than simply an instrument.

It’s a slice of Britpop historical past, says the auctioneer, noting that the Les Paul’s hefty public sale price ticket may very well be attributed to its fame and legendary place in music historical past.

“It’s a modest instrument by way of electrical guitars however there are many photographs of Noel with it at the beginning of his profession,” Schofield tells The Instances. “It’s the historical past and the provenance of the piece that counts, and this one has a wooden grain which you can match like a fingerprint.”

“There was a whole lot of Oasis guitars available on the market however not as vital as this one. It’s the Britpop guitar.”

That mentioned, the renewed Oasis mania sparked by the band’s current reunion announcement definitely helps draw consideration. “It’s at all times superb when you’ll be able to tie a sale into a selected anniversary. Our unique pondering was the thirtieth anniversary of Undoubtedly Possibly and now it has turn into so much greater,” says Schofield, who had no concept concerning the information when the lot was put collectively.

“This may draw lots of people in to Sotheby’s to return and take a look at it as a result of somebody can say: ‘I personal what he was holding.’ Britpop was an entire motion and this guitar, which is a mannequin anybody might afford to purchase, summarises it.”

Additionally featured within the public sale is a cherry crimson Epiphone EA-250 guitar that appeared on the duvet of Oasis’s 1994 debut single, Supersonic, and a Gibson Flying V that Johnny Marr lent to Noel for some early Oasis concert events and recording periods for his or her Undoubtedly Possibly. Each guitars are valued at £20,000-£30,000.

Be taught extra at Sotheby’s.