Bodnar’s Auction to Feature 3 Great Collections July 8 & 9, 2026 to kick off the Summer!

July 8, Day 1, Bodnar’s Auction is excited to announce Icons of Sound, a premier sale featuring vintage guitars, amplifiers, brass, cornets, trumpets and jazz items, autographs, and more. This event highlights a rare, single-owner collection of guitars, complemented by a rich selection of brass instruments, vintage audio equipment, and historical memorabilia.

Highlights of this sale include 40+ guitars, showcasing a curated mix of iconic models and years. Notable pieces include a 1983 Fender Precision Bass estimated at $600.00-$1200.00. The Fender Precision Bass (P-Bass) debuted in 1951 as the first mass-produced electric bass guitar, revolutionizing low-end instrumentation for rock, R&B, and jazz. By the 1980s, the P-Bass remained a workhorse, known for its solid alder body, split single-coil pickup, and solid sustain. The early 1980s P-Bass models featured refinements in electronics, finishes, and sometimes updated hardware. Players valued its punchy, authoritative tone that cut through ensembles, with a longer scale length contributing to tight tension and stability.

 There is also a Fender American Standard 1987 Stratocaster estimated at $750.00-$1500.00. The Stratocaster, introduced in 1954, became iconic for its contoured body, three single-coil pickups, and tremolo system. By the 1980s, Fender refined neck profiles and electronics to appeal to modern players while preserving the classic resonance. The late-1980s American Standard Strat’s offered improved build quality, new headstock/logo styling, and reliable electronics. They preserved the bright, glassy tones associated with Stratocasters, ideal for rock, pop, and blues.  

A 1980 Gibson Explorer, estimated at $1000.00-$2000.00. The Explorer design was originally introduced in 1958 with a bold, angular body meant to project on stage and in the studio. It wasn’t immediately popular but gained a cult following among metal and hard rock players in later decades. In the 1980s, Gibson produced Explorer models that balanced the original shape with more refined finishes and reliable hardware, appealing to players seeking a distinctive look and aggressive sustain.

 The prize of the collection is a 1968 Gibson Firebird (non-reverse), estimated at $3000.00-$5000.00. The Firebird was introduced in 1963 as a bold, short-scale alternative with a reverse body on some variants. The 1968 non-reverse Firebird kept the distinctive reverse headstock or quieter features depending on the year, offering a unique tonal character with strong sustain.  Firebirds are prized for their open-voicing and punch, often favored by players seeking a gritty clean to mid-gain tone with a lightweight feel. Other highlights include a 1970s Gibson Les Paul Deluxe, a Fender Signature Jazzmaster, Ibanez, Yamaha, Hondo, and more. Vintage amplifiers, record players, and speakers to complete the sonic landscape as well as Autographs and historical memorabilia tied to the music’s golden era.

This sale will also feature a single-owner collection of brass horns, trumpets and cornets spanning 100 years! This collection features 50 plus horns in excellent condition with all of its parts, quality mouth pieces and carrying cases. Highlights to this collection include a Vintage Couesnon Paris Flugelhorn, Made in France. Serial No. 82541. Circa 1960’s/ Early 70’s in Bb Key. It has Original Brass Lacquer with mother of pearl valve buttons and comes with a Giardinelli New York 10FL Mouthpiece estimated at $800.00-$1600.00. 

There is a Vintage Antoine Courtois Paris Bb Trumpet/Cornet. Serial No. 3806. Commemorating top honors from Paris, Liege, Bruxelles, Turin, and Geneve. It has an Importer Stamp – Sole American Importers: G. Leblanc USA. Brass Patina with original mother of pearl valve buttons and is estimated at $800.00-$1200.00

There is also a Vintage 1971 Henri Selmer Paris Radial 2 Degree Bb Trumpet. Serial No. 49957. It has Lacquered Brass with Mother of Pearl Buttons also estimated at $800.00-$1200.00

We finish up this sale with early tin-types of horn players, autographs of jazz musicians and other paper related items of the time.

July 9, 2026, Day 2 will feature The History of Shelley Cups & Saucers! The Silverman Collection featured in the book “Shelley Tea Ware Patterns”. The Story Behind the Shelley Collection; What began as a simple love for antiquing transformed into a lifelong journey of passion, artistry, and connection the moment they discovered their very first Shelley fine bone china teacup. It was love at first sight—captivated by the delicate translucent porcelain, the vibrant hand-painted patterns, and the iconic, innovative shapes that define the Shelley name. That single teacup sparked a grand adventure. Over the years, their passion took them across the globe as they traveled the world in search of rare shapes, elusive styles, and unique patterns to add to their growing collection. For the Silvermans, collecting Shelley wasn’t just a hobby; it was a source of immense pleasure and pride. Every piece beautifully displayed in their home carries a memory of a place visited and a treasure found. Their collection grew to be so exceptional and well-regarded that several of their teacups were officially featured and photographed in a published book on Shelley china,”Shelley Tea Ware Patterns” a testament to the rarity and stunning quality of the pieces they curated. A collection is more than just beautiful objects—it is a map of the friendships and journeys made along the way. Beyond the exquisite porcelain, the true heart of their collection lies in the community it created. As proud, active members of the National Shelley China Club, they didn’t just collect china; they built deep connections. They dedicated themselves to bringing people together, frequently renting out event halls to host lively, large-scale Shelley Conversations and gatherings, creating a vibrant space where fellow enthusiasts from all over could share knowledge, admire artistry, and celebrate a mutual appreciation for English elegance. Every teacup, saucer, and plate in this collection represents a world traveled, a story shared, and a lifetime of shared passion. Over 800 different patterns will be represented ranging from $25.00 to $300.00 for rarer patterns. A once in a lifetime collection!

As always, these estate collections are a fresh-to-market collection to be sold with no reserves to the highest bidder! All lots start at $10.00. Bodnar’s Auction stands behind what they sell so you can bid with confidence. In-house shipping on small items, and local UPS Store shipping options are available, as well as local pick-up in Monmouth Junction, NJ. This is a live broadcast sale with auctioneers and callers describing all lots in the sale so you feel like you are at the auction in person. The sale starts at 11:00 am on both days and has a preview the Tuesday before the sale by appointment only. Bidding is on Bodnar’s Auction Website at www.bodnarsauction.com or call 732-951-2100 for more information. You can also Find out more about the collection on their podcast Bodnar’s Bids & Banter