Gordon Lightfoot fans have a chance to own a piece of Canadian music history. Today, the estate of the late folk singer-songwriter is auctioning off a treasure trove of items, including guitars, stage-worn clothing, signed photographs, and gear used by Lightfoot over the years. The auction, hosted by Toronto-based A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals, comes just a few days after what would have been Lightfoot’s 85th birthday. Here are a few highlights from the auction:
Published: November 26, 2025 at 12:32PM EST
GORDON LIGHTFOOT ESTATE AUCTION GORDON LIGHTFOOT’S PERFORMANCE MARTIN D-18 GUITAR One of Lightfoot’s primary performance guitars, this acoustic is featured prominently on later albums recorded at the end of his career. The guitar has a black leather patch affixed to the back, which was installed by Lightfoot himself, to protect the wood from being scratched by his belt buckle. Its estimated value is between $30,000 and $50,000 and bidding started at $15,000. The guitar sold for $380,000 after 48 bids. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) GORDON LIGHTFOOT’S VINTAGE DENIM STAGE OUTFIT This stage-worn “Canadian tuxedo” features a vintage, long-sleeved pale blue denim Wrangler snap front dress-shirt with stars and a mermaid decal on the back. Also included is pair of denim bell-bottom jeans, vintage cream ankle boots and a leather belt and buckle. Photos of Lightfoot wearing the outfit are included with the purchase. The estimated value of the items is between $600 and $800. Bids started at $400 and the outfit was sold for $3,200 after 30 bids. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) TERRY CLEMENTS’ GRETSCH TENNESSEAN GUITAR Terry Clements played lead guitar for Lightfoot for 40 years. One of his instruments was this 1967 Gretsch Tennessean guitar, which was used to record Lightfoot’s famous song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Clements later replaced the guitar due to a damaged neck. It’s estimated value is pegged at between $2,500 and $3,500. Bidding started at $1,500 and the guitar sold for $7,000 after 11 bids. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) VINTAGE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS JERSEY Lightfoot was a lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan and this personalized jersey is proof of that. This vintage Leafs jersey is emblazoned with his surname and the number 17. It’s valued at $300 to $500 and bidding starts at $200. The auction heard 29 bids and the jersey sold for $2,200. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) DUAL CS5000 GERMAN DIRECT DRIVE TURN TABLE This quartz-controlled record player was personally owned by Lightfoot and is in working condition. It’s estimated worth is between $300 and $500. Bidding starts at $200. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) FOUR PERSONAL BOOKS FROM GORDON LIGHTFOOT Four of Lightfoot’s own schoolbooks are featured in Wednesday’s auction, including “The Merchant of Venice,” “Mastering Effective English” and Catechism, all of which feature doodles and signatures throughout. The set is valued at between $300 and $500 and bidding started at $200. The items were sold for $550 after six bids. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) TWO LIGHTFOOT HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS Born and raised in Orillia, Lightfoot attended Orillia Collegiate Vocational Institute and two of his yearbooks from his time there (1954-1955, 1955-1956) were up for grabs. Their estimated value is between $300 and $500. The starting bid was $200. The yearbooks sold for $225 after two bids. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) TERRY CLEMENTS’ FENDER STRATOCASTER GUITAR (1958) Clements’ 1958 Fender Stratocaster holds an estimated value of $20,000 and $30,000, making it one of the biggest-ticket items in the auction. The vintage guitar was owned and played by Clements and is notably missing its back plate. Bidding started at $15,000 and the guitar was sold for $20,000 after six bids. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) A BOSS CHROMATIC TUNER TU-12H “GORD’S TUNA” Every guitarist needs their tuner, and Lightfoot’s was affectionately known as “Gord’s Tuna.” The tuner comes with a receipt from Steve’s Music Store, which shows Lightfoot bought the item on Aug. 18, 1994 and paid $114.95. The value of the tuner is estimated to be between $300 and $500. Bidding started at $200 and the tuner was sold for $550 after 10 bids. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) BRASS, SILVER & TURQUOISE BELT BUCKLE Lightfoot was a big fan of belt buckles, and this custom-made fastener was a staple in his collection. Made of brass, silver, and a turquoise “G,” this item is valued at between $300 and $500. Bidding starts at $200. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) TERRY CLEMENTS’ GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM GUITAR Clements’ 1964 Gibson Les Paul Custom Guitar features a Roland GK-2A hexaphonic divided guitar pickup, which allows the player to trigger virtually any instrument and play it via the strings. Its valued at between $10,000 and $15,000. Bidding starts at $7,000. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) VINTAGE TORONTO BLUE JAYS SHIRT As a Toronto resident, it’s no surprise that Lightfoot was a fan of the Blue Jays. Lightfoot’s vintage jersey, featuring the team’s 2003 logo and the number 9, is estimated to be worth between $300 and $500. Bidding starts at $200. The jersey sold for $475 after seven bids. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) RECORD SETS: LIGHTFOOT’S PERSONAL COLLECTION Twenty-nine records from Lightfoot’s personal collection include vinyl LPs such as “Don Quixote,” “Cold on the Shoulder,” “Endless Wire,” and “The Way I Feel,” among many others. The collection is valued at $300 to $500 and bidding starts at $200. The records sold for $3,200 after 29 bids. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) COLLECTION OF GORDON LIGHTFOOT’S HOTEL KEYS Musicians travel a lot to showcase their music and, in Lightfoot’s case, he kept souvenirs of some of his trips by way of hotel keys. Included in the collection are keys to Hotel Piccadilly in Manchester, Vista Manor, Fred Harvey Airport Inn, and Regina Inn. Estimated value is between $300 and $500. Bidding started at $200. The keys were sold for $1,100 after 12 bids. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) GORDON LIGHTFOOT’S PANASONIC RX-4830 This boombox was kept and used in Lightfoot’s home office and studio. The electronics are not tested, but it’s valued at between $300 and $500. Bids start at $200. The boombox sold for $200 after one bid. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals) LIGHTFOOT’S CHILDHOOD ELECTRIC TRAIN SET This Steam Type Electric Train set was made in Canada by MAR toys Louis Marx & Co and includes metal train cars and tacks. A small handwritten label which reads “From Mom’s Place” is seen on the box. The set is valued at between $400 and $600. Bids started at $250. The set was sold for $750 after 16 bids. (A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals)
