Among the instruments, writings, scores, clothing, recordings, photographs, and other memorabilia to be auctioned are a saxophone that belonged to Charlie Parker, one of Dizzy Gillespie's distinctively bent trumpets, caricatures of jazz musicians by Al Hirschfeld, Benny Goodman's tails, a long-lost Gibson guitar custom made for Wes Montgomery, paintings and drawings by Miles Davis, several sets of drums that belonged to Elvin Jones, and jazz-related lithographs by the artist Romare Bearden.

Nearly all of the items on display came from the families or the estates of musicians. Some of the proceeds from the sale, carried out by Guernsey's auction house, will be donated to the ASCAP Foundation and other jazz-related non-profit organizations.

Rose Hall will be open to the public for previews today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The auction itself will take place in two sessions at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on February 20. Bids can also be made via telephone or through the web site eBay.