FAITH & FAME

A Personal George Michael Collection

Thursday 29 October 2026

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AUCTION

Thursday 29 October | 2pm
Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers | Stansted Mountfitchet | Essex | CM24 8GE

VIEWING

20-27 October
Sworders London Gallery | 15 Cecil Court | London | WC2N 4EZ

CONTACT

auctions@sworder.co.uk
01279 817778

Faith & Fame: A Personal George Michael Collection brings together a remarkable archive of memorabilia formed by Siobhan Bailey, George Michael’s long-time personal assistant and trusted confidante.

Working alongside George for more than two decades, Siobhan was far more than a member of staff; she was a loyal friend and essential presence throughout his career and personal life. The collection offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes, with photographs, personalised tour itineraries, gold and platinum discs, programmes, press material and personal momentos charting George Michael’s journey from Wham! to global solo superstardom.

At its heart is the iconic Gretsch guitar used by George in the music video for Faith; one of the defining visual symbols of his reinvention as a solo artist.

The Rockabilly Rebel: George Michael’s Faith Video Guitar

The core of Faith & Fame is one of the most instantly recognisable objects in George Michael’s visual history: the guitar used by George in the iconic Faith music video.

A Gretsch Synchromatic 160 arch-top acoustic guitar, circa 1945, the instrument has a sunburst finish, non-cutaway hollow body, inlaid Gretsch and Synchromatic headstock, block fingerboard inlays, original hardshell case and leather strap. The case carries the evocative lettering “Rockabilly Rebel” and “G.M. Office. Star St.”

More than a musical instrument, the guitar became central to George Michael’s reinvention as a solo artist. In the Faith video, it helped define a new image: confident, masculine, sensual and rooted in the visual language of 1950s rock 'n' roll. Paired with a leather jacket, Ray-Ban Aviators, Levi’s jeans and the now-famous jukebox setting, the guitar became an extension of George’s new-found swagger.

Decades later, the image of George Michael with the Faith guitar remains one of the defining visual icons of popular music and culture.

Estimate: £60,000–120,000

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COLLECTION

'Wham! Breaks China'

a touring schedule and itinerary, 1985

£300-600

Forty-nine photographs of Wham! and George Michael

many on-stage images, taken by Siobhan Bailey

£1,000-2,000

A gold disc

Wham!, 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go',

£200-500

Live Aid, an artist’s running order

four foolscap pages, typed and reproduced

£400-800

Two tour books

'The Final, Wembley Stadium, June 1986'

£150-250

'Faith, George Michael World Tour: 1988'

'Touring Itinerary: Phase III North America',

£400-800

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ORDER THE PRINTED BROCHURE

A limited number of printed brochures are available for Faith & Fame: A Personal George Michael Collection. Secure your copy to explore the full story, highlights and catalogue entries in print.

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VIEW THE COLLECTION IN LONDON

The full Faith & Fame: A Personal George Michael Collection sale will be available to view at Sworders’ London Gallery, 15 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ, from 20–27 October 2026. Please note the gallery will be closed on Sunday 25 October 2026.

This is an opportunity to see the collection in person ahead of the auction, including the iconic Faith video guitar, tour itineraries, gold and platinum discs, photographs, programmes and archive material from the collection of Siobhan Bailey.

Our team will be available during the viewing period to answer general questions about the sale and advise on the bidding process. For condition reports or lot-specific enquiries, please contact us in advance of the auction.

VIEWING TIMES

Monday–Friday 11am–6pm
Saturday 10am–1pm
Sunday Closed

Sworders London Gallery
15 Cecil Court | London | WC2N 4EZ

THE AUCTION

Join The Sale

Faith & Fame: A Personal George Michael Collection will be offered at auction on Thursday 29 October 2026 at 2pm.

Following the London Gallery viewing, the live auction will take place at our Stansted Mountfitchet Auction Rooms. Bidders are welcome to attend in person at Stansted or bid live online at sworder.co.uk with 0% surcharge.

Contact

For further information about the sale, viewing or bidding, please contact auctions@sworder.co.uk or call 01279 817778.

View The Collection Register To Bid

Bidding Options

In Person
at Stansted Mountfitchet auction rooms

Online at sworder.co.uk
follow the auction live, and bid from the comfort of your own home

Absentee and Telephone Bidding
by prior arrangement