Les Paul's "Black Beauty" Guitar on Auction Block

Les Paul's "Black Beauty"
(Image: Tina Feinberg/The New York Times)

The world of guitar players and instrument makers has its own legacy, understandings, and concepts of value. From that perspective, the guitar community offers a refreshing change of pace from algorithm proselytizers' relentless triumphalism.

The upcoming auction of Les Paul's "Black Beauty" guitar is a case in point. You don't have to know the nuances of musical instruments to appreciate this as an important moment in our shared musical journey. Paul's invention irrevocably, and positively, changed the course of popular music.

The auction and the background of "Black Beauty's" creation is wonderful to read. I won't spoil it here;  just enjoy the linked article. The original report comes from The New York Times; the Seattle Times picked it up and that's where I found the story.