Christie’s displays iconic rock instruments
Irsay collection features Beatles and Nirvana memorabilia
Christie’s in New York is displaying instruments from the Jim Irsay Collection ahead of a series of auctions that will feature memorabilia from some of rock’s most influential figures. The trove, amassed over decades by the late Indianapolis Colts owner, includes high-profile lots expected to drive intense collector interest.
Highlights on public view include Ringo Starr’s first Ludwig drum kit—used with the Beatles from May 1963 to February 1964—estimated at $1 million to $2 million and tied to the band’s pivotal early performances and recordings. John Lennon’s “Rose-Morris” Rickenbacker guitar, played during the Beatles’ December 1964–January 1965 Christmas shows, carries an $800,000 to $1.2 million estimate. Kurt Cobain’s Fender Mustang, seen in the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video, is among the marquee items with an estimate of $2.5 million to $5 million. Other notable pieces include Jerry Garcia’s custom “Tiger” electric guitar (estimated $1 million–$2 million) and Eric Clapton’s Gibson SG Standard known as “The Fool” (estimated $800,000–$1.2 million).
Christie’s says the collection spans celebrity-played instruments, vintage gear and broader 20th-century cultural artifacts, with many items showing distinctive wear, modifications and provenance that tie them to defining moments in music history. Auction specialists expect strong bidding from private collectors, museums and institutions, noting that Beatles and Nirvana memorabilia in particular have historically commanded high prices.
Public viewing is open at Christie’s New York, with an online sale already active and three live auctions scheduled to begin later this month. Organizers frame the sale as both a commercial event and a celebration of the artists’ legacies, offering buyers a direct material link to performances and recordings that shaped popular music.
