Rock and Roll Icon’s Model Train Collection Sells for Nearly $300,000
Property from the Collection of Neil Young
Closes Out Renowned Auction House’s 2017 Season
Los Angeles, California – (December 9, 2017) – Julien’s Auctions, the world record-breaking auction house, closed out its headline making 2017 auction season honoring one of the greatest artists of all time, Neil Young. property from the collection of NEIL YOUNG rocked the auction block December 9, 2017 in Los Angeles as rock and roll memorabilia collectors and superfans of the music legend across the globe bid live on the floor, online and on the phone for a chance to take home a piece of the two-time inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s iconography and cherished personal items. A portion of proceeds from the auction will benefit The Bridge School.
Three of Young’s extraordinary classic cars were the auction’s stand out items with his rare 50th anniversary special edition 1953 Buick code 76X Roadmaster Skylark convertible which was the first car off the assembly line for this model (total production: 1,690) with two-tone red and white leather interior and a steering wheel hub that denotes “customized for Neil Young” leading the pack and selling for an astounding $400,000 above its estimate $200,000-$300,000; a rare 1941 Chrysler Series 28 Windsor Highlander 2-Door 3-Person Coupe, which was once owned by Steve McQueen according to Young, that sold for $35,200 well over its original estimate $15,000-$20,000 and a 1948 Buick Roadmaster Hearse built by Flxible, nicknamed “Mort II” similar to the one used by Young and his band, The Squires, to haul their equipment to gigs in the early 1960’s and served as the theme of Young’s song, “Long May You Run” that sold for $31,250 well over its original estimate $8,000-$10,000.
Over 230 pieces of Young’s beloved and magnificent model trains from his lifelong collection of Lionel trains sold for nearly $300,000. Highlights included a Prototype Lionel 1954 Western Pacific 6464-100 Boxcar and a Prototype AEC Switcher from the Lionel Archives which both sold for $11,250 well above their original estimate range of $2,000-$10,000; the custom painted Horde Tour Commodore Vanderbilt Hudson 4-6-4 Locomotive that sold for $10,000; a Prototype Lionel 2242 New Haven F-3 A-B Locomotive which sold for $8,750 and more.
Top moments of the auction event included the Grammy and Juno award winning singer/songwriter’s music instruments and gear with a group 16 Universal Audio 610 preamp console modules in black that sold for $68,750, more than six times its original estimate of $8,000-$10,000; a group of 11 Universal Audio 610 preamp console modules selling for an incredible $56,250 well over its original estimate $6,000-$8,000; a 1977 Martin D-19 acoustic 6-string guitar played by Young on the songs “Goin’ Back” and “Human Highway” on the 1978 Comes a Time album and on “Lost in Space” from the 1980 album Hawks & Doves, which sold for an astounding $43,750 well above its original estimate $2,000-$3,000; a White Falcon Gretsch guitar which sold for $43,750; a 1957 Gretsch Country Club 6182 sunburst guitar which sold for $37,500; a 1958 Neve/Telefunken U47 tube microphone which sold for $42,500 well above its $8,000-$10,000; an Electrodyne 12-channel console in a red road case which sold for $25,000 well above its original estimate $500-$700; a blonde Fender 52 reissue Telecaster guitar which sold for $21,875 well above its original estimate $2,000-$4,000; a 1950 Martin model 5-18, acoustic 6-string guitar and a Maton Pty. Ltd. Guitarron acoustic bass played on “Love is a Rose” which both sold for $16,000 each; a pair of 1973 Neumann U87 condenser microphones that sold for $16,000 well above its original estimate of $4,000-$6,000; Young’s “Whizzer” pedal board here and motor control system used on tour 1975-76 that sold for $10,000 well over its original estimate $1,000-$2,000; a table-top pump organ used on the recording of “From Hank to Hendrix” that sold for $11,250 well above its original estimate $400-$600 and more.