Category News

The music legend, now 76, frequently used this guitar in the studio and on stage during major performances

A striking red guitar with a fascinating back story is going up for auction and is set to fetch a hefty sum. The Baldwin Burns Double Six solid electric 12-string instrument was lent to a British rock icon and reportedly not returned for 50 years.

According to auctioneers at Gardiner Houlgate, the borrower in question was Mark Knopfler, the lead guitarist and singer of Dire Straits. The music legend is said to have borrowed this from old Gosforth friend Jeff Sadler, who played guitar for several bands in the northeast, including Brethren, which went on to become Lindisfarne.

Knopfler, now 76, frequently used this guitar behind-the-scenes and on stage, including during Dire Straits’ globally successful album, Communiqué (1979), and at the Prince’s Trust performance at Wembley Arena (1986).

Now, it’s expected to fetch as much as £30,000 in auction at Gardiner Houlgate in Corsham, Wiltshire, which is set to occur next week on Tuesday, September 9. In a statement, Luke Hobbs, auctioneer from Gardiner Houlgate, said: “Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits had a huge influence on music and guitar players not just in the 1980s and 90s, but through to today.

“I’m confident this guitar will attract a lot of attention from fans and collectors alike – particularly as it has such a great story behind it.”

Before embarking on his solo career, Mark Knopfler was the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for Dire Straits from 1977 to 1995. Classic Rock magazine hailed them as ‘the biggest British rock band of the 80s,’ and Dire Straits achieved phenomenal success, selling over 100 million records worldwide.

READ MORE: Unassuming 1937 book worth £24k – and other books that could land you a cash windfall

Despite 50 years in Knopfler’s possession, the Double Six guitar is still regarded as being in its ‘perfect original condition’. Initially listed for Christie’s Mark Knopfler Guitar Collection Sale, which raised £8.5 million, the instrument was withdrawn before the auction in 2024 and was returned to its original owner, Jeff Sadler.

The guitar is now set to be sold by Gardiner Houlgate, Wiltshire-based specialist music auctioneers, during their September auction, alongside a Gretsch guitar owned by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page.

Jimmy Page’s guitar was initially donated as a prize more than half a century ago as part of a competition for the New Musical Express magazine. While the star originally purchased it for £200 in 1972, it is now expected to command between £30,000 and £50,000.

This auction will take place on September 9. Gardiner Houlgate is the only auction house in Europe to ‘hold dedicated stand-alone sales of guitars and related items’, selling more than 1,500 guitars annually through quarterly auctions.

The Double Six guitar will be available for public viewing on Friday, September 5, and Monday, September 8, from 9 am to 5.30 pm, and on the day of the sale. The auction will take place at Gardiner Houlgate, 9 Leafield Way, Corsham, Wiltshire, SN13 9SW on Tuesday, September 9.

For more information, head to Gardiner Houlgate’s website, here.

Get all the hottest shopping deals, cash saving tips and money news straight to your phone by joining our new WhatsApp Community – The Money Saving Club. Just click this link to join https://crnch.it/eutplxS1

Nothing says autumn like a cozy night spent watching Harry Potter, so Boots has created a trio of bath bombs that would be the perfect addition to your evening.

The nights are getting darker, the weather is dropping by a few degrees, and we’re firmly entering our hibernation era. For Harry Potter fans, that means now is the perfect time to give the films a re-watch, and now there’s a perfect addition to make your night in even more magical.

You can now purchase select Mad Beauty x Harry Potter merchandise at Boots, which includes everything from a Dobby-themed loofah to a color-changing bath soak. The Mad Beauty Warner Brothers Harry Potter Bath Fizzer Trio, which retails for just £10, is a standout item in the collection.

Argos releases its top 5 toys for Christmas 2025, including the best-selling item for pre-school children.

With “elegant and practical” pumpkin cookware starting at £25, get ready for the cosy season.

The trio of bath bombs have a cozy, refreshing autumnal scent and are all based on well-known Harry Potter images from Platform 9 / 3. A trunk, a platform 9 3 4 sign, and the Hogwarts Express’ front are included; each one has a cedarwood and lime scent.

Simply choose the bath bomb of your choice and run warm running water to release the Harry Potter Bath Fizzer Trio‘s colorful and smoky mixture. The Mad Beauty Warner Brothers Harry Potter Color Changing Bath Soak can also be added to your tub if you want to make your bathtime even more magical.

The same blend of cedarwood and lime scents can be found in a 300ml bottle for £10. Additionally, you’ll receive a face cloth in the cloak shape that will magically appear throughout your bathing routine.

The Witchcraft And Wizardry Dragon Egg Bath Bomb Gift Set, which includes a fizzing dragon egg, bath crystals, and bath oils inspired by truth potions, is available for a more elevated level at Not on the High Street. If you want to give it as a gift, you can write a message in either traditional brown ink or secret invisible ink that appears under a UV torch.

The Harry Potter Alumni Potions Wash Bag, which is currently priced at £13 and has the gold embroidered “Hogwarts Potions – Taught by Severus Snape” embroidered on the navy velvet bag, is available at Dunelm. Additionally, it has a gold tassel and zip, as well as gold potions bottles and stars embossed on it.

The Mad Beauty X Harry Potter Bath Fizzer Trio is currently priced at £20 at Boots if you’re just looking for a way to transform from the ordinary to the magical experience.

A knitted cardigan from the fashion house is available for purchase.

Primark is stocking a ‘cosy’ and ‘flattering’ cardigan that resembles a luxury style. The retailer has long been popular with high street shoppers, and it could have a new crowdpleaser on its hands. The fashion giant has introduced a £16 Cropped Ballerina Cardigan that arguably looks similar to & Other Stories’ Mohair-Blend Knitted Wrap Cardigan.

However, the & Other Stories style retails for £67, which is priced significantly higher than the Primark version. It’s important to highlight that despite their similarities, there are some differences between the two cardigans.

Primark’s style is cropped, whereas the more expensive style is not, while both wrap cardigans are available in a similar pink shade with puff sleeves, fitted cuffs, and self-tie belt. Additionally, there are design and material differences.

The less expensive cardigan is made of acrylic, polyester, and wool. The &amp, Other Stories cardigan is a RWS/RMS mohair blend, on the other hand.

This cropped ballerina cardigan in a sweet pink is ideal for layering, according to the Primark cardigan’s description. It is self-tied at the side, creating a flattering V-neck, and is made from cozy knitted fabric.

With puffed shoulders and fitted cuffs for a snug finish, the long balloon sleeves add a touch of drama. Its cropped length is ideal to pair with high-waisted jeans or skirts, giving your outfit a delicate finishing touch while remaining warm and comfortable. It can be picked up from Primark’s website in pink or oatmeal, according to the website.

The &amp, Other Stories Cardigan is described as a “fuzzy wrap cardigan knitted from a mohair and merino wool blend.” Finished with a self-tie detail. The details add that the style has ribbed cuffs and hemlines, puff sleeves, and. It’s available on the website of &amp, Other Stories in black, beige, plum, dusty pink, and petrol blue.

Both retailers offer different cardigans for shoppers looking for alternatives. Primark, for example, has the £20 Essential Knitted Bomber in pink, ivory, or brown. The product description says: “Say hello to your new throw on and go knit.

“This essential knitted bomber is available in a brown shade with a relaxed fit that’s easy to layer.” For a snug finish, it has crew necklines, long sleeves, and a classic button-down front, along with ribbed cuffs and hem. Two patch pockets, as well as a place to tuck your hands, add a touch of utility. The soft knit texture also adds cosiness. The variety of styles is endless, with jeans, skirts, or dresses.