In recent months various auctions houses have gotten a windfall of celebrity memorabilia to entice fans.  The latest is Christie’s in London who will be auctioning off some guitars.

Mark Knopfler, the frontman for the rock band Dire Straits, has a collection of guitars that he calls “old friends” he plans to put up for auction next year.

Knopfler is offering up 120 instruments and amps that will go on sale January 31.  The collection ranges in value form $375 to $625,000 (300 to 500,000 pounds) and includes the 1983 Gibson Les Paul Knopfler played on their hit album “Brothers in Arms” and during Dire Straits’ Live Aid performance.

Knopfler admitted that he has had a 60 “love affair” with guitars; but feels that it is time to let go of “some of these treasured six-string companions”.  He added, “you can be sure I’ll be sad to see them go but we’ve had wonderful times together and I can’t play them all.  To you fellow players, enthusiasts, and collectors I wish you many good times with these old friends of mine.”

The collection will be on display at Christie’s New York showroom from December 9 to 13 and at the London headquarters from January 19 to 30.

Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from the auction will go to a number of charities including the British Red Cross.