1975 Cat Stevens' Ovation Folklore Natural

Cat Stevens - owned and stage played 1975 Ovation Folklore electro-acoustic guitar, made in USA, ser. no. 053579; Back and sides: Lyrachord bowl back, with various marks; Top: natural spruce, a few blemishes to the top, hairline lacquer crack between the bridge and body end; Neck: good, fine lacquer cracks to head/neck; Fretboard: ebony; Frets: visible wear; Case: original hard case with owners manual; Weight: 2.44kg; Overall condition: fair

*Ex lot 21, 'Cat Stevens' Musical Equipment and Personal Effects' Bonhams, Saturday 6th June 1981. Sold with an original trifold auction catalogue listing the guitar as lot 21 'Ovation Folklore acoustic electric guitar and Ovation case'. The catalogue inscribed with the vendor's annotations. Also sold with the original Bonhams purchase receipt in the vendors name, dated 6th June 1981

The guitar case inscribed 'Yusuf' and '#20' in black pen to the case top. The vendor believes that the '#20' marking refers to the original auction lot numbers, with the auction house uniting the incorrect case with the guitar. Lot 20 in the auction was listed as an 'Ovation Legend acoustic electric guitar and Ovation case'.

Born in London on July 21st 1948, Cat Stevens' career launched with the release of 'I Love My Dog', a top thirty British hit in the autumn of 1966. This record was followed by 'Matthew & Son' and 'I'm Gonna Get Me a Gun', both of which achieved top ten the following year. In 1968, Cat Stevens' recording career was put on hold by near fatal tuberculosis, during which time he found a spiritual awakening and awareness in the teachings of the East, which were soon to be reflected in his new music.

On recovery, Stevens returned to recording and with a far simplified approach to music, released 'Mona Bone Jackon', his first album for Island Records with the single 'Lady D'Arbanville' becoming a top ten hit in 1970. Stevens went on to record many critically acclaimed albums including 'Tea for the Tillerman', 'Teaser and the Firecat', 'Catch Bull at Four', 'Buddha and the Chocolate Box', 'Foreigner', 'Izitso' and 'Back to Earth'. He also had many singles chart success with songs such as 'Moonshadow', 'Another Saturday Night', 'Can't Keep it In' and one of his most recognised songs 'Morning Has Broken', all of which established Cat Stevens as an all-time great

Throughout the seventies, Cat Stevens was still searching for spiritual fulfilment, a search that led to the discovery of Islam in 1975, two years later embracing the Islamic faith. Now named Yusuf Islam, he took to the decision to leave his music behind and devote his life to reaching God.

The Bonhams auction in 1981 was a clear-out of this musical past with the proceeds from the sale assisting three charities of Yusuf Islam's choice: Help the Aged, Help a London Child and Companions of the Central London Mosque

Cat Stevens was known for playing Ovation guitars throughout the 1970s, with many published photographs from the mid 1970s showing him playing an Ovation Folklore model.