Hank Risan’s musical instrument collection included more than 750 examples of fine 19th and 20th century acoustic instruments. On October 17th, we are happy to offer over 50 of these magnificent guitars and mandolins.
Risan owns an 1835 Martin 2½-17 guitar that is believed to have accompanied Mark Twain (born Samuel Clemens) throughout his life. During a 1999 appearance on National Public Radio’s (NPR) All Things Considered program, Risan played an arrangement of the Stephen Foster classic, Old Susannah, on the Twain guitar.

Estimate: $8,000–$10,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $8,000–$12,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $1,000–$1,200
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $8,000–$10,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $7,000–$9,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $5,000–$7,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $2,000–$4,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.

Estimate: $7,000–$9,000
This property is being sold at public auction as provided by Internal Revenue Code section 6335. Only the right, title, and interest of the Hank Risan is being offered for sale. Property is sold “as is, where is” without recourse against the United States. The United States offers no Guarantee or warranty, implied or expressed on the condition of any property or its fitness for any purpose or use.
In 2014, Risan placed 265 of his classic guitars on the block with boutique auction house Guernsey’s in New York. The auction was called The Artistry of the Guitar. However, many of the guitars, including the Martin — which was ultimately purchased by The Martin Guitar Company — did not reach their pre-auction estimates or reserves.