LOS ANGELES, CA.- Nate D. Sanders Auctions will auction an astonishingly extensive trove of Prince's personal memorabilia from the collection of his first wife Mayte Garcia and manager Owen Husney on March 17. The auction features 95 pieces including a diamond engagement ring, a 1959 Gibson guitar used to compose and record early demo tracks and fabulous, flamboyant outfits. Interested bidders may participate in the Prince auction online.
Wedding Collection
The 2.2 karat diamond engagement ring Prince gave to belly dancer Mayte Garcia is featured in the auction; the couple married on February 14, 1996. Five pink heart-shape notes accompany the ring. The notes were used by Prince to lead Garcia on a romantic journey to discover the ring. Bidding begins at $100,000.
Also being offered from Princes wedding are Garcias wedding dress, 50 and 40 piece sets of China featuring Princes love symbol design and a pair of engraved goblets, all which were used during the wedding reception.
1959 Gibson Guitar
Prince used the 1959 vintage Gibson L-series 6-string acoustic guitar in the 1970s to compose and record early demo tracks. Prince was famously photographed with the guitar in early promotional pictures at photographer Robert Whitmans studio in Minneapolis and at Owen Husneys house. Husney discovered Prince and became his manager in 1976. Subsequently, Prince signed a megadeal with Warner Brothers, which was said to be the 2nd largest recording contract at the time for a solo artist. The guitar comes with a black case and a letter of authenticity from Husney. Five percent of the proceeds will support the charity Our House LAs Camp Erin for Grieving Children. Bidding for the guitar begins at $60,000.
Fashion
Princes impact on fashion was recognized globally. Highlights of the many costumes being auctioned include: a Scorpio diamond necklace worn when meeting Prince Charles in 1998; a three-piece electric blue outfit worn by Prince on the cover of his 1999 album, Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, a long black sequined stage coat and matching platform shoes worn during a performance and rhinestone handcuffs used during the performance of The Most Beautiful Girl in the World among others.
The entire Prince auction can be viewed at
http://natedsanders.com/catalog.aspx