Sterling Morrison’s custom-made leather guitar strap, used extensively during Velvet Underground live performances and recording sessions.

This heavyweight guitar strap was made for Morrison, and features hand painted crosses, hearts, and patterns, extensive tooling to the leather, metal studs and beaded appliques. Morrison was photographed using this strap with his 1967 Gibson ES 335 TD during live Velvet Underground performances, and in the recording studio during sessions for the group’s 1970 album, Loaded.

We obtained this strap directly from Sterling Morrison’s widow, Martha Morrison.  Her accompanying letter of authenticity notes the “custom made, hand tooled leather guitar strap” was “owned and used by my late husband, Sterling Morrison” and “This was part of Sterling’s extensive collection of Velvet Underground memorabilia.”

50 ½” x 3” at the widest point.  In very good used condition.

With Martha Morrison’s letter of authenticity, and Recordmecca’s written lifetime guarantee of authenticity, and print outs of photographs of Morrison using the strap.

An extraordinarily rare opportunity to obtain a Velvet Underground stage and studio used artifact, with impeccable provenance.  [Black and white photos copyright Henri ter Hall, courtesy Steve Nelson]