A guitar featured in George Michael’s promotional film for the 1987 track Faith will go under the hammer later this year, with auctioneers anticipating a price exceeding £100,000.
The instrument is a 1940s-era Gretsch Synchromatic 160 that appeared in the music video where Michael performed in a black leather jacket and denim while positioned beside a jukebox.
The piece will serve as the centrepiece of the sale titled Faith and Fame: A Personal George Michael Collection, scheduled for Thursday October 29.
Michael acquired Mill Cottage in Goring, situated in south Oxfordshire, during 2001.
Following his death on Christmas Day 2016 at the age of 53, the property has since been converted into holiday rental accommodation through the Airbnb platform.
The assortment was compiled by Siobhan Bailey, who served as Michael’s personal assistant for two decades.
Following Bailey’s passing in 2014, her widower is presenting the collection for sale through auction.
Among the additional lots are bound tour schedules spanning Michael’s solo performances and his tenure with the duo Wham.
The collection contains presentation discs and gold certifications commemorating sales achievements.
The auction features uncommon cassette recordings and acetate singles, certain ones bearing the notation Not For Sale, alongside numerous signed photographs bearing personal inscriptions addressed to Bailey, providing insight into Michael’s public and private life.
Industry specialists project the complete archive will realise in excess of £200,000.
Guy Schooling, chairman of Sworders auction house, observed that Michael’s body of work maintains significant cultural resonance, describing the Faith guitar as the standout piece and noting that the collection collectively illustrates a narrative of international creativity and artistic ambition.
The performer, born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, accumulated thirteen chart-topping singles throughout his British chart career.
In 1998, he publicly acknowledged his sexual orientation and subsequently became involved in advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights, as well as fundraising for charitable organisations supporting those affected by HIV and Aids.
His debut solo release Faith, issued in 1987, has achieved global sales exceeding twenty-five million copies.