In the vast world of guitars steeped in history, this Selmer Maccaferri holds a place of distinction. Owned by Joe Brown for decades, then gifted to his friend and best man George Harrison, before being returned shortly before his passing, it carries a story as moving as it is sincere.

In 1963 in Glasgow, Joe Brown, then a prominent English musician, purchased this 1932 Selmer Maccaferri acoustic guitar. Already a historic instrument in its own right, it was produced in limited numbers in France and marked the collaboration between Henri Selmer and Mario Maccaferri. Together, they designed the famous Selmer Maccaferri “grande bouche,” a gypsy-style guitar with remarkable craftsmanship. This particular model is one of the so-called “pre-production” guitars — among the very first prototypes ever made.

The story of this guitar takes on even deeper meaning as it symbolizes the friendship between Joe Brown and George Harrison. When Brown moved near Harrison, the two developed a lasting and sincere friendship. They often met to play guitar and ukulele together, sharing countless conversations. George even served as best man at Joe’s second wedding.

Since George didn’t own a guitar of this kind in his extensive collection, Joe Brown decided to give it to him. By his own account, George probably played it more in a few years than Joe had in several decades. Shortly before his passing, Harrison returned the guitar to his lifelong friend, who kept it and rarely played it after George’s death. A guitar both moving and symbolic.