Rare John Lennon guitars and Ringo Starr’s historic drum kits lead a world-class lineup of music history heading to the auction block in March
The biggest, most valuable collection of rock-music memorabilia ever, including history-defining Beatles artifacts expected to fetch tens of millions, is headed to the auction block in New York. The late Jim Irsay’s remarkable collection of iconic Beatles items documenting the band’s evolution from their “mop-top” era to their peak creative phase includes a Ringo Starr drum estimated at $2 million.
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The once-in-a-lifetime sale includes Ringo’s Ed Sullivan Show drumhead, Revolver-era guitars, Paul’s handwritten “Hey Jude” lyrics, and the Beatles break-up affidavit, chronicling a journey from the heights of Beatlemania to the painful dissolution of the greatest rock band in history.
The group of guitars alone, known as the greatest collection on Earth, include instruments owned by Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, Prince, Lou Reed, Eddie Van Halen, Johnny Cash, Les Paul, U2’s The Edge, Walter Becker of Steely Dan, Neal Schon of Journey, and John McVie of Fleetwood Mac.
The Beatles: Crown Jewels of the Collection
The Beatles portion of the Irsay Collection represents perhaps the most significant grouping of band memorabilia in private hands.
Ringo Starr’s Drums:
The Ed Sullivan Show Drumhead (February 9, 1964)
The original Ludwig bass drumhead featuring the iconic “Beatles” drop-T logo was used during the Ed Sullivan Show TV performance seen by 73 million viewers, launching Beatlemania and the British Invasion. The prominent placement of the Ludwig logo created such a publicity burst that Ludwig became the dominant drum manufacturer in North America. The drumhead was presented to Ringo at the CBS-TV Studio 50 morning rehearsal and installed just in time for the broadcast.
Pre-auction estimate: $1,000,000 – $2,000,000
Ringo’s First-Ever Ludwig “Downbeat” Kit (Oyster Black Pearl finish)
Used for hundreds of live performances and studio recordings from May 1963 to February 1964, this kit was heard on many of the Beatles’ earliest hit recordings. It was purchased in spring 1963 from Drum City in London through manager Brian Epstein (he negotiated a trade: Ringo’s Premier kit for this Ludwig, and Drum City thew in the painted bass drum featuring the Beatles logo.)
Pre-auction estimate: $1,000,000 – $2,000,000
1964 Ludwig Jazz Festival Snare Drum (from Ringo’s second kit)
Purchased at Manny’s Music Store in Manhattan on February 9, 1964, this was used throughout Ringo’s time with the Beatles for studio recordings. Notably, Paul McCartney borrowed this snare drum to record his first solo album “McCartney” (1970), mixing components from Ringo’s first two kits. This drum was originally sold at Julien’s Auctions in 2015 for $75,000; Jim Irsay purchased it in 2019.
Ringo’s 9-Carat Gold and Sapphire Pinky Ring
Worn throughout his Beatles years from 1961 through 1969, the ring was an iconic part of Ringo’s image during the band’s peak.
Pre-auction estimate: $60,000 – $100,000
George Harrison’s Guitars:
• 1964 Gibson SG Standard (Serial #227666, Cherry Red finish)
George’s main studio guitar from 1966-1969 during the Beatles’ most experimental phase. The instrument was used extensively on the Revolver album (1966), including “She Said She Said,” “Doctor Robert,” “Taxman,” and “I Want to Tell You.” and it appeared prominently in the promotional films for “Paperback Writer” and “Rain” filmed at Chiswick House, London in May 1966.
The guitar also appeared in the “Lady Madonna” promo film (1968), shot during the “Hey Bulldog” session, and was played during the Beatles’ final official UK concert at the 1966 NME Poll Winners Concert on May 1, 1966.
John Lennon also used this guitar during White Album sessions in 1968, notably on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Harrison gave the guitar to Pete Ham of Badfinger in 1969, who played it extensively, including on “Baby Blue” (1972). After Ham’s death in 1975, the guitar was stored away for 28 years until the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame contacted Ham’s brother for a Badfinger retrospective in 2002. The guitar had been loaned to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before Irsay acquired it.
Pre-auction estimate: $800,000 – $1,200,000
1963 Maton MS-500 Mastersound Guitar
An Australian-made acoustic guitar used by Harrison during Beatles performances, it was part of Harrison’s diverse guitar collection from the early Beatles era.
John Lennon’s Guitars:
1963 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 (Serial #53940, Western Orange finish)
Used during the “Paperback Writer” and “Rain” recording sessions at EMI Studio 3, Abbey Road on April 14, 1966. It features painted f-holes and horseshoe peghead characteristic of the 6120 model. Lennon gave this guitar to his cousin David Birch in November 1967 when Birch visited Lennon’s home studio in Kenwood, Weybridge. Birch had asked Lennon for a spare guitar to start his own band; he had his eye on a Fender Stratocaster, but Lennon gave him the Gretsch instead.
The wood grain on this Gretch headstock can be matched precisely to photos from the recording session, providing conclusive authentication (wood grain being as unique as a fingerprint). It failed to sell at a 2014 TracksAuction when it didn’t reach its $600,000 reserve; then Irsay purchased it directly from Birch for $530,000.
Pre-auction estimate: $600,000 – $800,000
1964 Rickenbacker Rose Morris Model 1996
Used during mid-period Beatles recordings, it was part of Lennon’s arsenal during the Revolver era.
c. 1869 John Broadwood & Sons Upright Piano
Kept in Lennon’s home, this piano was used to compose several songs on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Paul McCartney Items:
• Handwritten Studio Lyrics for “Hey Jude” (1968).
Written in black felt pen on a single sheet of white paper, this was the actual working lyric sheet used during the recording session at Trident Studios, London in July 1968. Unlike other “Hey Jude” handwritten lyrics that have sold at auction, this is the studio working copy, with lines numbered 1 through 4, with notations including “BREAK” and “Ending. Fading.” The song was written for John Lennon’s son Julian as comfort during John and Cynthia’s divorce (originally titled “Hey Jules”). McCartney gifted these lyrics to a Trident Studios engineer after the session.
Pre-auction estimate: $600,000 – $1,000,000
• McCartney’s 1970 Affidavit to Dissolve The Beatles
The legal document that officially ended the Beatles containing handwritten annotations by Lennon, it was filed in court to force the dissolution of the Beatles’ partnership and is perhaps the most emotionally significant Beatles document, marking the formal end of the greatest band in rock history.
Pre-auction estimate: $100,000 – $150,000
1979 Yamaha BB-1200 Bass Guitar
Used by McCartney during his post-Beatles career
Additional Beatles Memorabilia:
Working Lyrics for “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer”
This rare page was written by Beatles road manager Mal Evans and contains several edits in McCartney’s hand.
Pre-auction estimate: $20,000 – $30,000
Liverpool Airport Poster Signed by All Four Beatles (1964)
Complete with all four members’ signatures from the height of Beatlemania
Pre-auction estimate: $30,000 – $50,000
Umpire’s Locker from Shea Stadium (1965)
Used by the Beatles during their Shea Stadium concert, the first stadium rock concert.
Pre-auction estimate: $3,000 – $5,000
Höfner “Beatles” Bass with Pickguard Signed by McCartney
This modern Höfner bass signed by McCartney is evocative of his iconic Höfner 500/1 violin bass.
Pre-auction estimate: $8,000 – $12,000
Ringo’s RIAA Gold Record for “I Want To Hold Your Hand”
Signed by George Harrison as “George”
Pre-auction estimate: $30,000 – $60,000
Beyond the Beatles: Rock Royalty
While the Beatles artifacts form the emotional core of the collection, other offerings are equally spectacular. Kurt Cobain’s 1966 Fender Mustang guitar, used during the recording of Nirvana’s albums Nevermind and In Utero and featured in the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video, carries the collection’s highest estimate: $2.5 million to $5 million. Irsay purchased this instrument in 2022 for $6 million, with proceeds benefiting mental health awareness initiatives.
David Gilmour’s “Black Strat”—instrumental in creating Pink Floyd’s sound on The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, and The Wall—is expected to bring $2 million to $4 million. The guitar was notably used for Gilmour’s legendary solo on “Comfortably Numb.”
Bob Dylan is represented by his 1964 Fender Stratocaster from the Newport Folk Festival performance on July 25, 1965, when he controversially “went electric” before an audience of folk purists. The collection also includes Dylan’s handwritten lyrics to “The Times They Are A-Changin’” (estimate: $500,000-$800,000).
Eric Clapton’s psychedelic 1964 Gibson SG known as “The Fool,” used with Cream in the late 1960s, and his 1939 C.F. Martin 000-42 played during his iconic MTV Unplugged performance each carry estimates of $800,000 to $1.2 million.
Prince’s custom Yellow Cloud guitar is valued at $100,000 to $150,000, while Jerry Garcia’s custom “Tiger” guitar—his main stage instrument from 1979 to 1989 and the last guitar he played at the Grateful Dead’s final performance at Chicago’s Soldier Field in 1995—is estimated at $1 million to $2 million. Irsay’s guitar collecting began in earnest with the purchase of this Garcia guitar in 2002 for $957,500.
Beyond the Beatles: Cultural Icons and American Legends
Beyond music, the collection spans American cultural history. Jack Kerouac’s original 120-foot typescript scroll for On The Road (estimate: $2.5-$4 million)—written over 20 days in 1951 on taped-together tracing paper—was Irsay’s first major acquisition in May 2001. Other literary treasures include the only typescript of The Dharma Bums ($300,000-$500,000), Jim Morrison’s 100-page handwritten journal ($100,000-$200,000), and Steve Jobs’s introspective letter and signed Apple II Manual (combined estimates up to $1.3 million).
Sports and film memorabilia showcase defining American moments: Muhammad Ali’s “Rumble in the Jungle” championship belt ($2.5-$4 million), Secretariat’s Triple Crown saddle ($1.5-$2 million), Jackie Robinson’s 1953 bat ($250,000-$350,000), Stallone’s handwritten Rocky script ($200,000-$400,000), and Hunter S. Thompson’s “Red Shark” convertible from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas ($150,000-$250,000).
The Legacy of a Collector
The auction is slated for March 12. Jim Irsay inherited the Indianapolis Colts from his father, Robert, in 1997 and transformed the team into one of the NFL’s most stable franchises. But it was his passion for collecting that truly defined his later years. He described himself not as an owner but as a “steward” of cultural artifacts, believing his role was to preserve and share these treasures with the public.
The decision to auction the collection was made by Irsay’s three daughters—Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson—who now own the Colts. They described the decision as one reached through careful consideration and profound respect for their father’s legacy. A portion of proceeds will be donated to philanthropic causes Irsay championed throughout his life, including mental health awareness initiatives.
Irsay himself once acknowledged the temporary nature of possessing such treasures, observing that no one takes their belongings with them when they die—a recognition that he was merely a caretaker for a time.
Once valued at over $1 billion as a complete collection—an offer Irsay famously turned down—the individual items will now find new stewards. Christie’s describes the sale as an extraordinary opportunity for collectors to become guardians of objects that have inspired generations and will continue to illuminate our shared creative heritage.
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