John Lennon’s guitar has set a “new world record” for the highest-selling guitar at auction in Beatles history.
The Guitar was sold for $2.9 million (€2.7 million).
After being used in multiple albums by The Beatles, the 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar, used in the recording of 1965 Help! album and film, was found in the attic of a British countryside home having been forgotten for more than 50 years.
The guitar was acquired through a telephone bid at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York on Wednesday, as part of a two-day music icons sale by Julien’s Auctions.
“We are thrilled and honoured to have set a new world record with the sale of John Lennon’s lost hootenanny guitar,” David Goodman, chief executive of Julien’s Auctions, said.
“This guitar is not only a piece of music history, but a symbol of John Lennon’s enduring legacy.
“Today symbolizes what we do best at Julien’s – creating opportunities for people to reconnect with the cultural touchstones that have shaped the moments that matter most throughout their lives.
“Today’s unprecedented sale is a testament to the timeless appeal and reverence of The Beatles’ music and John Lennon.”
After The Beatles used the guitar, it came into the custody of Scottish guitarist Gordon Waller, one-half of the musical duet Peter & Gordon, who later handed it to his band’s road managers. Decades later, new owners living in the rural British countryside rediscovered the instrument during their move and put it up for auction with an estimated price of £485,000 to £647,000.
The guitar can be seen in the scene from the movie Help! where the ensemble performs You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away.
It was also utilized during the recording sessions of Help!, It’s Only Love, I’ve Just Seen A Face, and Girl, as well as the rhythm track for Norwegian Wood played by George Harrison.
