Heavy metal memorabilia on offer at Julien's 'Music Icons' auction

From an array of guitars to stage-worn costumes, memorabilia from the world of heavy metal is on offer in Julien's Auctions upcoming "Music Icons" sale and on display in London over coming weeks.

Items belonging to Ace Frehley, the original lead Kiss guitarist, are among the highlights, including a 1977 tour jacket. The star lot is the 1974 Gibson Les Paul Ace #1, used on stage and in the studio by Frehley, who died last year. It has a price estimate of $400,000 - $600,000.

"He was tremendously attached to this guitar... it’s part of his history," Martin Nolan, executive director and co-founder of Julien's Auctions, told Reuters at a press preview on Tuesday at London's Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly Circus.

"And sadly, he's no longer with us. So the guitar and the items of clothing that he wore are the conversation pieces that keep that legacy alive, keep that memory alive."

Guitars played by Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Motley Crue co-founder Mick Mars among others are also on offer in the auction.

A selection of the lots will be on display in the windows of London's Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly Circus until April 13, before going on show at Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo on April 27.

The "Music Icons" auction, which Nolan said features more than 700 items across genres, will take place May 29-30 at Hard Rock Cafe Times Square in New York.

-Marie-Louise Gumuchian/Reuters