Rare John Lennon Guitar Fetches Close to $3 Million in Auction
A rare acoustic guitar once owned by John Lennon, which had been missing for half a century, has been successfully auctioned off for nearly $3 million. Learn more about the fascinating tale behind this valuable musical relic.
John Lennon’s Lost Guitar Sells for Nearly $3 Million at Auction
John Lennon. Michael Putland/Getty Images
John Lennon continues to leave his mark on music history.
An acoustic guitar that was once owned by The Beatles legend, and was thought to be lost for half a century, was recently sold at an auction in New York City for almost $3 million on Wednesday, May 29th.
Lennon and his Beatles bandmate George Harrison used the 1964 Framus 12-string Hootenanny guitar during recording sessions for the albums Help! and Rubber Soul, which were both released in 1965. The guitar can also be spotted in the 1965 movie, Help!
According to Julien's Auctions, the guitar received a final bid of $2,857,500, surpassing its estimated selling price of $600,000 to $800,000.
"We are so excited and proud to announce that we have broken a world record by selling John Lennon's lost Hootenanny guitar. This guitar is not just a valuable part of music history, but also represents the lasting legacy of John Lennon," stated David Goodman, the CEO of Julien's Auctions, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Goodman also mentioned, "This remarkable sale shows the enduring popularity and respect for The Beatles' music and John Lennon."
The auction house stated that Lennon, who passed away in 1980, gave the guitar to Scottish musician Gordon Waller in late 1965. Waller was part of the 1960s pop music duo Peter and Gordon, and Lennon and Paul McCartney had written songs for them.
After receiving the guitar, Waller passed it on to his manager, who kept it in the attic of a house in the U.K. countryside. The guitar remained untouched for 50 years, gathering dust over time, as mentioned by Julien's Auctions.
The instrument sold at the auction house is now ranked as the fifth most expensive guitar ever sold. In 2015, another guitar that belonged to Lennon, a Gibson acoustic guitar stolen from him in 1963, was sold for $2.4 million at auction, as reported by The Guardian.
“It’s such an important part of Lennon’s career and Beatles history. I knew it would go over $1m. I had no idea it would go over $2m,” auctioneer Darren Julien said at the time.
Editor's P/S:
The auction of John Lennon's lost Hootenanny guitar is a testament to the enduring legacy of The Beatles and the iconic status of their music. The guitar, which was used during the recording of classic albums like Help! and Rubber Soul, has become a symbol of Lennon's artistry and the band's unparalleled impact on popular culture. The fact that it sold for almost $3 million, far exceeding its estimated value, highlights the immense value collectors and fans place on artifacts associated with The Beatles.
The guitar's journey from Lennon's hands to the auction house is a fascinating tale of music history and lost and found treasures. It's remarkable to think that such an important instrument could have been lost for half a century and then suddenly resurface, only to be sold for a record-breaking price. The auction serves as a reminder of the enduring power of The Beatles' music and the enduring fascination with their iconic legacy.
