Guitar Kurt Cobain sensationally smashed at pre-fame gig to express the nihilism of grunge headlines Hake’s Nov. 19-20 pop memorabilia auction

Rock artifact of immeasurable importance was retrieved by local bass player after Jan. 18, 1991 concert and gifted to record shop owner who kept it safe for 33 years despite two break-ins

YORK, Pa. – Hake’s will crank up the volume to 11 on November 19-20 as they auction the single most important rock music artifact to pass through their 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 will re-emerge, with a story that deserves its own chapter in the history of grunge.   

It all began on January 18, 1991, in Olympia, Washington, 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 gifted the battered instrument to his good friend Janel Jarosz, owner of The Ooze, a Portland, Oregon, record shop. It would go on to serve as the centerpiece of a Nirvana display that won a national 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 tremendous 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 $10,000-$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 impressive 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 to amaze even the most advanced collectors. Topping the list is a Kenner Star Wars (1979) Boba Fett rocket-firing L-slot prototype action figure, 3.75 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. A top prize in the world of Star Wars collectibles, this high-grade prototype comes with a notarized CIB COA and is estimated at $100,000-$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. Estoteric 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 exotic 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 fully 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. Estimate: $20,000-$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. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000

Turning to the popular category of Hollywood props, a top selection is a screen-used Wasp stunt helmet from Ant-Man and The Wasp. The iconic and readily-identifiable helmet was part of the Wasp suit received in the film sequel by Hope van Dyne (played by Evangeline Lilly), daughter of the first Ant-Man and her mother, the first Wasp. It is an actual stunt prop, as opposed to a piece that might have been used purely for still visuals or closeups. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000

An important Silver Age comic book, The Amazing Spider-Man #1, was issued by Marvel Comics in March 1963 and has been CGC-graded 7.5 VF. The book features first appearances of J. Jonah Jameson and The Chameleon, retells the origin story of Spider-Man, and is notable for being the first Fantastic Four crossover. A classic that combines a Stan Lee story with Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko’s cover art, and interior art by Ditko, this comic is entered with a pre-sale estimate of $35,000-$50,000.

The political section includes one of the most sought-after of all campaign buttons and also introduces the finest political china collection ever assembled. There would be no argument amongst collectors that an extraordinarily rare “Cox Roosevelt Club” Presidential campaign button Hake #1 is comparable to a copy of Action Comics #1 or a Honus Wagner T206 baseball card. Its image depicts 1920 election running mates James M Cox and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and like all Cox/Roosevelt jugate buttons, it is considered a salesman’s sample. Sized 1 inch in diameter, this button was the crown jewel of the John Gearhart collection and now comes to auction with a $50,000-$75,000 estimate. 

In the opening session of the November 19-20 auction, Hake’s will introduce Part I of a political china grouping that is truly second to none: the private collection of legendary Americana dealer Rex Stark (1947-2023). The rarity, beauty and condition of each piece in this spectacular ceramics trove is something one would expect to see in only the most exceptional museum collection. Just one example is a circa-1841 green-sponged and glazed pearlware handled mug emblazoned “John Tyler” and decorated with the American Seal and polychrome accents. It is an actual book example seen in Anglo American Ceramics, by David and Linda Arman. Near mint and free of restoration, its auction estimate is $2,000-$5,000.

The World Series may be over, but bidders are expected to step up to the plate when a 1917 Collins-McCarthy Candy Co. E135 #82 Shoeless Joe Jackson baseball card crosses the auction block. From a 200-card series, this well-preserved example shows a bright, clean image of Jackson in his Chicago White Sox uniform, complete with shoes. Designated “Authentic-Altered” by PSA due to the slightest margin trim, it is one of only 11 known cards of its type in any condition. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000

Hake’s Nov. 19-20, 2024 online auction is now open for bidding. For a free printed catalog or additional information on any item in the sale, call +1 866-404-9800 (toll-free) or +1 717-434-1600; or email [email protected]. View the fully illustrated catalog online and sign up to bid at https://hakes.com/.

A video of Chris Brady and Janel Jarosz discussing the history and acquisition of the Kurt Cobain guitar can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLMn9oDhPbw.