A piano once owned by John Lennon and used to compose songs for the iconic album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band has become the most expensive piece of The Beatles memorabilia ever sold, after fetching nearly £2.5 million at auction.
The historic instrument was part of The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame sale held at Christie's in New York City on Thursday. The collection featured a wide range of music, film and sports memorabilia, attracting intense interest from collectors worldwide.
The Broadwood upright piano, which Lennon used to compose several famous Beatles songs, was expected to sell for between 400,000 dollars and 600,000 dollars. However, it far exceeded expectations, eventually selling for 3,247,000 dollars (£2,448,968). The instrument was used to write classic tracks including Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, A Day in the Life and Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!, all featured on the band’s groundbreaking 1967 album.
Lennon, who was a founding member of the Beatles alongside Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, was shot and killed in 1980 at the age of 40. Formed in the 1960s, the Beatles went on to become the best-selling musical act in history, achieving 18 UK number one singles and 15 UK number one albums.
Items linked to Starr also drew major interest during the auction. His first Ludwig drum kit, which he used during live performances and studio recordings with the band between May 1963 and February 1964, sold for 2,393,000 dollars (£1,804,700). Shortly afterward, a drum head from his second Ludwig kit surpassed that record, selling for 2,881,000 dollars (£2,173,095). The drum head was used during the Beatles’ first visit to the United States, when the group famously performed on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.
Other items in the sale included photographs, handwritten letters and signed postcards from Lennon, along with an affidavit filed by McCartney during the legal process that ultimately led to the band’s breakup.
Memorabilia from other legendary musicians also featured prominently. A Fender Mustang guitar used by Kurt Cobain in the music video for Smells Like Teen Spirit sold for 6,907,000 dollars (£5,209,811), setting a new record for an item belonging to the late Nirvana frontman.
Meanwhile, handwritten lyrics for The Times They Are A‑Changin’ by Bob Dylan sold for 2,515,000 dollars (£1,897,368), while the famous “Black Strat” guitar played by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd fetched 14,550,000 dollars (£10,978,629), becoming the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction.
Julien Pradels, president of Christie’s Americas, said the auction had been a historic moment, adding that the remarkable collection showcased “iconic objects that tell the story of our culture and our times.”
