A piano once played by John Lennon, instrumental in composing tracks for The Beatles' seminal album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, has shattered records, fetching nearly £2.5 million at auction.
The Broadwood upright instrument became the most expensive piece of Beatles memorabilia ever sold, headlining The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame auction at Christie’s New York.
The iconic piano, used to craft songs such as "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite!", far exceeded its pre-sale estimate of between $400,000 and $600,000.
It ultimately sold for an astonishing $3,247,000 (£2,448,968), cementing its place in music history as the most valuable object from the legendary group. Lennon, who tragically died in 1980 at the age of 40, used the instrument during a pivotal creative period for the band.
Fellow Beatle Sir Ringo Starr also saw his drumming equipment achieve significant sums at the high-profile sale. His first Ludwig drum kit, utilised during early live performances and studio sessions with the band from May 1963 to February 1964, sold for $2,393,000 (£1,804,700) and briefly broke the record for the most expensive drum set sold, until a drum head which was part of his second Ludwig kit sold in the next lot for $2,881,000 (£2,173,095).
The drum head was used during the Beatles’ first visit to America when the group performed on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, and also set the record as the most expensive item belonging to Sir Ringo to be sold.
The extensive collection also featured a range of other Beatles artefacts, including intimate photographs, handwritten letters, and signed postcards from Lennon, alongside an affidavit filed by Sir Paul McCartney to formally dissolve the legendary group. The Beatles, comprising Lennon, Sir Ringo, Sir Paul, and George Harrison, remain the best-selling musical act of all time, boasting an incredible 18 UK number one singles and 15 UK number one albums throughout their illustrious career.
Also among the items for sale was memorabilia from American musician Kurt Cobain, the founder of the grunge band Nirvana.
The Fender Mustang guitar used in the music video for the group’s hit song Smells Like Teen Spirit became the most expensive item belonging to the late singer to be sold, fetching $6,907,000 (£5,209,811) at the auction.
Handwritten lyrics for Bob Dylan’s protest anthem “The Times They Are A−Changin” fetched $2,515,000 (£1,897,368), while Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour’s iconic 'Black Strat' set a new world record for the most expensive guitar sold at $14,550,000 (£10,978,629).
Julien Pradels, president of Christie’s Americas, reflected on the extraordinary event: "Lot after lot, we felt like we were making history. The Irsay sale did justice to the brilliance of the collector, and of the monumental pieces he brought together, iconic objects that tell the story of our culture and our times. The Irsay collection is singular, but Christie’s will have other amazing sales in this space moving forward."
