Heritage Auctions is auctioning a wooden replica based on the iconic guitar from Back to the Future, with bids at $1,350 at the time of reporting. This item is not the original prop used during filming, but rather a replica signed by multiple cast members.
The replica is modeled after the 1958 Gibson ES-345 electric guitar played by Marty in the photo, and features signatures from Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Claudia Wells, Thomas F. Wilson, James Tolkan, Donald Fullilove, and Harry Waters Jr.
The original guitar used in the film was reportedly rented to the production by Norman’s Rare Guitars, and its whereabouts became untraceable after filming wrapped. It may have changed hands several times since, and the current owner might not even be aware of the instrument's provenance.
Gibson previously launched a global search campaign called "Lost to the Future," setting up tip lines and producing short documentaries, but the original guitar has yet to be recovered. The collectible value of this auction item stems mainly from its accurate design, signatures from multiple actors, and its connection to the film's dance scene, rather than any actual use during filming; the $1,350 figure was merely the bid amount at the time of reporting, not the final sale price.