4 Guitars from 1917-2001
Offered at $220,000
$322,500 if purchased individually
The patio of this Collector’s home looks out upon Utah’s Wasatch mountains, providing an inspirational guitar practice spot. The patio’s floor is Navajo Sandstone, a very hard substance requiring a rotary hammer and carbide bit for drilling, yet many plant shoots have penetrated the sandstone on their upward quest for sunlight, not unlike the Spanish guitar’s slow but inevitable acceptance in France, largely due to lingering resentments over the Napoleonic wars.
Julián Gómez Ramírez, a pupil of the well-known José Ramírez I (to whom he was not related) and later a journeyman in Jose I’s shop, was the first important Spanish guitar maker to settle in France revitalizing French classical guitar making with his Madrid school methods and his guitar making talent.
Robert Bouchet, the star pupil of Gómez Ramírez, absorbed Gómez Ramírez’s Torres influences, and became the next influential French guitar maker. Bouchet was a brilliant luthier whose guitars were played by several revered guitarists of his day. They are now considered essential for collections much like Torres’ and Hauser instruments. Bouchet’s reputation influenced fellow Parisian Daniel Friederich. Both were the most respected French guitar makers of their respective eras.
Presently, Dominique Field continues the line of esteemed French guitar makers. His output is only seven guitars per year, and waiting times are several years but players are thankful to own a guitar by this luthier who is called “Today’s Hauser”.
Inclusion of these standout French guitars would be a coup for any Spanish guitar collection and would almost certainly increase the pride of ownership and musical enjoyment derived from a Collector’s efforts and investment. The Bouchet, Friederich, and Field are highly esteemed for their musical qualities making them, deservedly, in high demand and therefore expensive. The Julian Gomez Ramirez is rare. This French Specialty Group, offered at special pricing much lower than market, is likely the best chance ever to acquire them.
FRENCH SPECIALTY GROUP
| Brune Appraisals | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Maker | Date | 2016 | 2021 | Individual Price |
| 48 | J. G. Ramirez | 1917 | 30,000 | 35,000 | 27,500 |
| 6 | R. Bouchet | 1967 | 150,000 | 180,000 | 170,000 |
| 10 | D. Freiderich | 1969 | 60,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 32 | D. Field | 2001 | 30,000 | 45,000 | 45,000 |
| Totals | 270,000 | 340,000 | 322,500 | ||
| Offered At | $220,000 | ||||