LA INÉDITA BY SANTOS HERNÁNDEZ AT BONHAMS: THE HIDDEN MUSICAL TREASURE MEANT FOR ANDRÉS SEGOVIA
La Inédita - a masterpiece crafted in Madrid, Spain, in 1935 by the legendary luthier Santos Hernández. Estimate: €125,000 - 185,000
Proceeds to support the Aladina Foundation for children with cancer
Paris - Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr is pleased to announce the auction of La Inédita in an online auction from 19 to 28 May 2025 in Paris. La Inédita is an extraordinary classical concert guitar with a remarkable history - a masterpiece crafted in Madrid, Spain, in 1935 by the legendary luthier Santos Hernández (1874-1943) specifically for Andrés Segovia, the Spanish virtuoso classical guitarist(Estimate: €125,000 - 185,000). Through twists of fate, this exceptional instrument never reached the Master's hands, becoming a mysterious piece of musical lore. Now this long-lost treasure emerges from history, with its sale benefiting children battling cancer through Fundación Aladina.
Proceeds from the guitar will be donated to Fundación Aladina supporting the project “Casa Aladina” a revolutionary first of its kind day care center in Madrid for children with cancer, their families and survivors, a dedicated space where care extends beyond hospital walls.
Teresa Ybarra, Bonhams representative in Madrid, said: "Guitarists choose instruments for many reasons - some carefully considered, others on a whim, but always with musical intention. Bonhams in the past has a long history with iconic guitars which featured some of the biggest names - Eric Clapton, Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and more. There are many others, too, who loom large in the history of great guitars, including this one. When I met Paco Arango for the first time, he told me this story, and I realized that Bonhams was really the auction house able to sell this iconic item.”
Paco Arango said: "In the early 1970s, my father, Plácido Arango Arias—a distinguished Spanish Mexican businessman, philanthropist and renowned art collector—acquired this exceptional guitar crafted by legendary luthier Santos Hernández. Since then, this unique instrument has remained in my possession, carefully preserved in impeccable condition. Now, I have decided to donate La Inédita to the Fundación Aladina, my children´s cancer foundation celebrating its 20th anniversary, in an auction at Bonhams. All proceeds will go to children with cancer in marvellous unique day care center (www.casaaladina.org).”
Exceptionally well-preserved, this guitar held a very special significance, as it was made specifically for the renowned guitarist Andrés Segovia. Plácido Arango Arias, Paco’s father, shared with his son the unique story surrounding this instrument: upon completion, instead of personally visiting Santos Hernández’s workshop, Segovia merely requested that the guitar be delivered to his hotel. This deeply offended the master luthier, who felt slighted and decided not only to refuse to sell it to Segovia but also to store it away untouched, ensuring no one else could play it.
Many years later in the early 1970´s, Plácido Arango Arias learned through his friend and art advisor, gallery owner Fernando Guereta, that Santos Hernández’s niece Esperanza Ruiz and her husband, who then ran the workshop, were selling several guitars inherited from her uncle. Fernando Guereta was a prominent Spanish art dealer and gallery owner, celebrated for his pivotal role in promoting notable 20th-century Spanish artists such as Picasso, Miró, Julio González, and Dalí. In the 1960s, he founded the Galería Fernando Guereta (later known as Galería Betty Guereta), becoming a key venue for showcasing important figures in modern and contemporary art. Guereta specifically advised Plácido to acquire the guitar known as La Inédita. Following this recommendation, a lunch has been arranged with Plácido and Santos Hernández’s niece, during which they negotiated the purchase of several guitars. However, despite Plácido’s request for La Inédita, she first refused. After long negotiation, Plácido ultimately convinced her by presenting a check for one million pesetas, thus securing this historical treasure that had remained untouched for years.
Santos Hernández (1874-1943)
Born in Madrid in 1874, Santos Hernández was introduced to the world of lutherie at a remarkably young age. By 12, he was apprenticing under Valentín Viudes, a family acquaintance, and by his mid-20s, following military service, he joined the workshop of Manuel Ramírez. It was here that his talent truly blossomed, eventually earning him the position of workshop foreman. His instruments quickly gained a reputation for excellence.
After Ramírez’s death, Santos Hernández opened his own workshop in 1921 at 27 Calle de la Aduana in Madrid (later renumbered 23). He continued to build instruments there until his death in 1943. Over the course of his career, he produced an average of 20 guitars a year — primarily cypress flamenco guitars, alongside a smaller number of rosewood concert instruments. La Inédita, built in 1935, is one of these high-grade concert models.
Despite the renown of Andrés Segovia, Santos Hernández's guitars were also embraced by other giants of the classical and flamenco scenes. Regino Sainz de la Maza, famed for premiering Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez in 1940, played a Santos guitar named La Rubia. Flamenco pioneer Ramón Montoya used a Santos guitar nicknamed La Leona.
Through these artists, Santos Hernández’s instruments became emblematic of the Spanish guitar’s golden age. Their distinctive visual and acoustic characteristics — finely executed rosettes, balanced proportions, and expertly calibrated bracing — formed the blueprint for the modern classical guitar.
Among these masterpieces, La Inédita stands apart. Despite its exceptional quality, it remained cloaked in mystery for decades — its existence known to only a few. Its recent reemergence not only closes a 90-year chapter of speculation but also offers a rare glimpse into the pinnacle of Santos Hernández’s artistry.
Or, in the words of Regino Sainz de la Maza, one of the few to have played La Inédita in 1945: " La Inéditaconstitutes the culmination of Santos's marvelous talent and is the best instrument of this type known to date."
FUNDACIÓN ALADINA (www.aladina.org):
Fundación Aladina is dedicated to ensuring that no child faces cancer alone. For more than 20 years, the foundation has transformed the lives of more than 20,000 children with cancer and families by creating an integrative supporting program, meaning emotional, psychological and material support, as well as some very concrete investigation lines. Aladina delivers hope, joy, and healing when they’re needed most.
By 2027, Aladina will have invested significantly more than 27 million euros to
upgrade pediatric oncology facilities throughout Spain. The foundation also actively responds to global crises, offering critical assistance specifically to children with cancer affected by war in Ukraine, Armenia, Lebanon, and Jordan.
International recognition has come with transformative initiatives like the upcoming “Aladina Home,” Europe's first-ever daycare center dedicated exclusively to children with cancer. Situated in Madrid on a 15,000-square-meter plot, this innovative center will offer comprehensive daily care, unparalleled support, and therapeutic activities—becoming a beacon of hope across Europe.
Plácido Arango Arias (1931–2020)
Plácido Arango Arias was a distinguished Spanish-Mexican businessman, philanthropist, and art collector known for his significant contributions to business, art, and culture. Born in 1931 in Tampico, Mexico, he later settled in Spain, where he became an influential figure through his entrepreneurial and cultural endeavors. He founded Grupo Vips, a major hospitality and restaurant group, introducing international brands like Starbucks, T.G.I. Friday's, and Vips restaurants to the Spanish market, fundamentally changing the landscape of casual dining and hospitality in Spain. An avid art collector and patron, Arango generously donated invaluable artworks to renowned institutions, notably the Museo Nacional del Prado, significantly enriching its collection. He also served as President of the Museo del Prado's Royal Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2012 and contributed actively to the Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias. Internationally, Arango was a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (from 1991 to 2006) and later became a Trustee Emeritus, reflecting his respected standing in the global art community.
He was honoured with numerous awards, including Spain's prestigious Gold Medal of Fine Arts and the Grand Cross of Alfonso X the Wise, recognizing his outstanding contributions to cultural life. Plácido Arango Arias passed away on February 17, 2020, leaving behind a lasting legacy in philanthropy, art patronage, and entrepreneurship.
Paco Arango
Paco Arango was born in Mexico and moved to Spain, where he built a diverse and
successful career as a filmmaker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Initially a recording artist signed to Sony Records, Paco transitioned into television production, creating his first sitcom, which became the number one show on Spain's RTVE network, running successfully for four years.
In 2000, Paco began volunteering at a children's cancer ward, an experience that profoundly transformed his life and ignited his passion for supporting young patients and their families. After five years of daily visits to hospitals, he founded the Aladina Foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of children battling cancer and their families. Paco later ventured into filmmaking, where his debut movie, Maktub, received critical acclaim. His second film, The Healer, starring Jonathan Pryce, achieved remarkable international success, becoming the top movie on Netflix USA and donating 100% of its proceeds to children's cancer charities globally.
Paco Arango continues to actively develop impactful projects—including films, books, and humanitarian initiatives—that foster hope, healing, and inspiration, driven by his unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world.
About The Bonhams Network
Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.
Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.
In 2023, Bonhams achieved 14% growth with $1.14 billion in turnover. Recent important auctions and landmark single-owner collections, include the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Alain Delon: Sixty Years of Passion; Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection; Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included The Estate of Barbara Walters: American Icon; The Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; The Crown Auction: Props and Costumes and The Claude de Marteau Collection.
Top lots for 2023 include 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, Sold at Quail Lodge, US for US$30,255,000. Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword (sold in London for £14m – a world record for both an Islamic and an Indian object); Paul Signac (1863-1935), Sisteron, 1902. Sold for US$8,580,000 (estimate US$4-6 million), and Claude Monet (1840-1926), La Seine près de Giverny, 1888. Sold for US$6,352,500 (estimate US$4-6m), both from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; A Gilt Copper Alloy figure of Virupaksha, Central Tibet, Densatil Monastery, Early 15th century. Sold for HK$37.9m (£4,060,326) in Hong Kong. Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959) Three Stars. Sold for HK$36,754,000 (£3,930,914), also in Hong Kong.
For more information about these auctions and others featured By Bonhams, please visit their site. Bonhams can also be found on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and Pinterest.
