Rare George Michael Guitar Sold at Auction: Relive the Magic of ‘Faith’ – George Michael Collectibles – Music Memorabilia Auctions

The Siobhan Bailey Archive Auction Details

According to auction organizers, the guitar serves as the standout lot in a broader collection of 32 items sourced from the archive of Michael’s late personal assistant, Siobhan Bailey, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 56. The sale is being arranged via her widower, drawing from memorabilia Bailey amassed during her more than 20 years working closely with the singer. Alongside the Gretsch guitar, the catalog spans gold and platinum discs, tour programmes, and even a metal lighthouse statue presented to Michael by Malaga city council in 1989, which carries an estimated price of £200 to £400.

Behind-the-Scenes Tour Documents and Rare Box Sets

According to the auction inventory, the collection offers rare glimpses into the inner workings of Wham! and solo tours through private itinerary documents, one of Bailey’s handwritten notebooks, and a running order document for 1985’s Live Aid. Another itinerary details Wham!’s historic 1985 tour of China, marking the first time a western act toured the country—a trip famously captured by director Lindsay Anderson in the film Wham! in China: Foreign Skies, which was recently reissued as Wham! 10 Days in China. Furthermore, the sale features an exclusive promotional box set of Michael’s album Older that was never made available to the public, expected to fetch £300 to £600, alongside social invitations including a 2002 lunch with David and Victoria Beckham where guests were promised “rickshaws at nightfall, dress: white tie and diamonds.”

Concurrent Faith-Era Memorabilia and Anniversary Releases

Coincidentally, another piece of “Faith”-era history is hitting the market via a separate auction announced this week. Ray-Ban sunglasses worn by Michael during the Faith tour are expected to bring in £15,000 to £30,000 at the upcoming Music Memorabilia Live auction scheduled for October 1 and 2 in London. These sales align with a widespread autumn re-appreciation of the album, anchored by the November 6 release of the new concert film George Michael: The Faith Tour, which was pulled from rediscovered footage of a 1988 Paris performance captured by 14 35mm cameras and co-directed by Andy Morahan. The film will be accompanied by an 18-track live album and a short film by Mary McCartney pairing unseen Herb Ritts photographs with an unheard interview.

Exhibition and Sale Information

The Siobhan Bailey auction is scheduled for October 29, operating both online and in person through Sworders in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. Collectors and fans wishing to view the lots can visit a public exhibition held at Sworders’ London branch between October 20 and October 27.