Rare Beatles Guitar on Display in Ireland

RARE BEATLES GUITAR EXCLUSIVELY ON DISPLAY AT NEWBRIDGE SILVERWARE MUSEUM OF STYLE ICONS - IRELAND

Tuesday, April 16 to Wednesday May 8, 2013

Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons in partnership with Julien’s Auctions is hosting an exclusive exhibition featuring a very rare Beatles guitar played by both John Lennon and George Harrison.  The rare VOX guitar played by both legendary artists is what true rock n’ roll is made of. The striking custom guitar built by Mike Bennett and Dickey Denney was gifted to “Magic Alex” Mardas by John Lennon in 1967.  Harrison played the guitar while practicing “I am the Walrus” during The Magical Mystery Tour and by Lennon while recording a video session for “Hello, Goodbye” but it is not seen in the final version of the video that was released. Lennon gifted the guitar to “Magic Alex” Mardas. A plaque affixed to the back of the guitar reads “To Magic Alex/Alexi thank you/for been (sic) a friend/2-5-1967 John.”

According to Madras the date refers to his 25^th birthday earlier that year and not the date the guitar was given to him. The guitar body has a unique scroll design, marked “Vox Custom” on the headstock. It also featured 24 fret rosewood fingerboard with rectangular inlays, mahogany hollow body, single f-hole along with electronics which include six push buttons for: treble, bass, top boost,  mid-boost, fuzz and repeat. The guitar was not originally designed as part of the VOX Kensington line but it has become known as such.  The guitar is discussed by Andy Babiuk in his book “Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four’s Instruments: From Stage to Studio” and seen in “Beat Instrumental” November 1967 which shows an image of George Harrison playing the guitar.  Because of the relationship with the Beatles and Madras the guitar adds a unique emotional pull to Beatles lore.

The spectacular piece of Beatles history will travel from Los Angeles for an exclusive exhibition at the Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons in Dublin from Tuesday  April 16, 2013 through Wednesday - May 8, 2013. Fans and visitors can view the iconic piece of music memorabilia at the museum from 9 AM each day.  After the exhibition the guitar will travel back to the United States where it will be auctioned to the highest bidder at Julien’s Auctions Music Icons event to be held in New York on Saturday, May 18, 2013. It is estimated to bring $200,000-$300,000.  The extraordinary opportunity for fans and visitors to view the guitar is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity limited to the exhibition at Newbridge.

The Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons is one of Europe’s premier museums dedicated to design and style excellence and showcases the influences of some of the world’s most prominent and respected personalities.  The guitar will join the four D.A Millings Beatles suits which are on permanent display at the museum which continues to welcome thousands of visitors since its official opening to the public in 2009.  The Museum of Style Icons is located onsite at the Newbridge Silverware Visitor Center.

The Museum features signature pieces from Ireland's most notable designers and showcases artifacts associated with some of the most legendary Stars of the Silverscreen including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly Bette Davis, the Beatles, Gloria Swanson, Barbara Streisand, Julie Andrews, Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor, Gloria Swanson, Jean Simmons, Sarah Jessica Parker, Barbara Stanwyck and many more  Newbridge has also introduced a range of jewelry designed as recreations of such Hollywood icons as Maureen O’Hara and Greta Garbo.

ABOUT NEWBRIDGE SILVERWARE MUSEUM OF STYLE ICONS:

Since 1934, Newbridge Silverware has been Ireland's premier designer and producer of homeware and giftware products. The brand is continuously innovating and producing items that are relevant to the lifestyles of each new generation of customers. Today Newbridge Silverware is regarded as the premier solution for all gifting occasions. The unique history of the company provides a wealth of tradition craftsmanship and experience, while a contemporary and fresh attitude to design puts Newbridge Silverware on the cutting edge of modern living. In addition to timeless silverware and jewelry, the Newbridge Visitor’s Center hosts the acclaimed Museum of Style Icons. The museum is a permanent exhibition dedicated to design and style excellence while celebrating some of the world’s most iconic personalities.  The museum features personal effects and items from Ireland’s most notable designers and also showcases artifacts and personal items from legendary stars of film and television known worldwide. These include Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Bette Davis, Gloria Swanson, Barbra Streisand, Julie Andrews, Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor, Jean Simmons, Sarah Jessica Parker, James Stewart, Ingrid Bergman, The Beatles and so much more. The visitor’s center also hosts an award winning restaurant named Silver Restaurant. Newbridge is located in Kildare, Ireland near R445 and Main Street. Telephone contact is +353 45 431301. Hours of operation are Monday – Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday and Holidays form 11am – 6pm. For more information on Newbridge Silverware & Cutlery, The Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons, Newbridge Jewelry and events go to www.newbridgesilverware.com.