Hake’s Auctions – Auction 242 Online Now
Closes Nov. 19-20
hakes.com 866-404-9800

YORK, PENN. — Hake’s will crank up the volume to 11 on November 19-20 as it auctions the single most important rock music artifact to pass through the firm’s hands in 57 years as pop culture specialists. After not-so-quietly residing in a private collection since 1991, the Japanese-made guitar that a barely known Kurt Cobain trashed onstage at a small gig in Washington state will reemerge, with a story that deserves its own chapter in the history of grunge.

It all began on January 18, 1991, in Olympia, Wash., about an hour away from the Pacific Northwest’s music capital, Seattle. On a makeshift stage at the Evergreen State College Library, fewer than 500 local scenesters coughed up $4 each to attend an anti-Gulf War benefit concert headlined by an up-and-coming local band, Nirvana. Few in attendance could have imagined how famous or influential the band would become later that year with the release of their career-changing single “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” from the LP Nevermind. The band’s set that night in Olympia culminated with Cobain’s violent destruction of a red and white Memphis Stratocaster-replica guitar, which was discarded and ultimately recovered by Chris Brady, bassist in the band Pond. Later, Brady gave the battered instrument to his good friend Janel Jarosz, owner of Ooze Records, a Portland, Ore., record shop where it was the centerpiece of a display that won an MTV-sponsored contest.

Jarosz, a huge Nirvana fan who also played in a band called Trailer Queen, cherished the guitar and kept it safe, even securing it to her record shop’s ceiling after two break-ins. Now, after 33 years of ownership, she has entrusted Hake’s to auction the historical music treasure. Jarosz discusses its background alongside Brady in an entertaining Hake’s-produced video that is a must-see for grunge fans. The guitar has an open-ended auction estimate, with a required starting bid of $20,000.

Another Nirvana memento is the original, one-of-a-kind hand-cut/applied mechanical master art for the poster publicizing the band’s April 17, 1991, concert at the OK Hotel in Seattle. It was on that occasion that Nirvana live-debuted the grunge anthem “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The art is signed and inscribed in pencil on verso by the late Seattle artist Mark Bendix with the notation “Original Paste Up Master MB.” Accompanied by a bill of sale dated and signed by both Bendix and the auction consignor — who acquired it directly from the artist — it is expected to make $10/20,000.

Other grunge-related items include a 1991 Nirvana tour crew shirt (one of fewer than 20 made), Cobain’s high school yearbook and many signed records. Cobain’s signature appears on both 7-inch and 12-inch singles; as well as on a boxed set also signed by Dave Grohl and Courtney Love. The auction’s selection of concert posters covers many music genres, including grunge, early blues and psychedelic rock.

Hake’s will once again head off to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars rarities. Topping the list is a Kenner Star Wars (1979) Boba Fett rocket-firing L-slot prototype action figure, 3 ¾ inches tall, unpainted and encapsulated; and AFA-graded 85 NM+. The L-slot rocket-firing mechanism — significant because its spring-raised safety concerns that would thwart the proposed production run — is clearly visible from the back of the case. Top prize in the world of Star Wars collectibles, this high-grade prototype comes with a notarized CIB COA ($100/200,000).

A Kenner Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Princess Leia Organa prototype action figure/doll dressed in a Bespin Gown is from the unproduced 12-inch series. The figure has a 1978 stock Princess Leia body with a different, hand-painted head and hair hand-rooted in a pattern that is different to that of other 1978 Star Wars dolls. Esoteric and important, this rarely seen prototype is one of only a handful that were produced. With its CIB LOA, it will open for bidding at $25,000.

The lineup of offerings continues with a Belloq (in ceremonial robe) action figure from The Adventures of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1983). The Series 2/9 Back action figure on card is authenticated and AFA-graded 50 VG in archival case. Initially, this figure was offered as a boxed mail-order premium, but it was never marketed to the public as part of a traditional distribution. Only a few of these figures are believed to have been packaged on cards, and presumably they were produced prior to the cancellation of Kenner’s toy line for the associated film. One of only four AFA-graded examples of its type, the Belloq figure conveys with a CIB COA ($20/35,000).

Masters of the Universe fans won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to add a complete 1986 Eternia Series 5 playset to their collections. AFA-graded 70 EX+, the set’s second-release box has a full-color label featuring art by William George. Housed inside are three themed towers, three battery-operated vehicles, a monorail system and scores of accessories. The box retains its original “Clearance Special” store price sticker indicating a discounted price of $69.90 ($10/20,000).

Hake’s online auction is now open for bidding. For a free printed catalog or additional information on any item in the sale, call 866-404-9800 or 717-434-1600; or email hakes@hakes.com. View the fully illustrated catalog online and sign up to bid at www.hakes.com/.

THE PREMIER SOURCE FOR POP CULTURE COLLECTIBLES PRESENTS
Auction 242 Online Oct. 29 I Closes Nov. 19-20
Rex Stark Political China Collection
Shoeless Joe
AFA 85 NM +
Marvel Props
Hundreds of Comics
Cover Art
Kurt Cobain Smashed Guitar
Star Wars Prototypes
AFA 70 EX+
America’s First Collectibles Auction House
We’re always accepting quality consignments
Phone: 866.404.9800 I Email: hakes@hakes.com
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