Beatlemania Hits Christie’s: The $1 Billion Auction Event of the Decade

The biggest, most valuable collection of rock-music memorabilia ever, including history-defining Beatles artifacts expected to fetch tens of millions, is headed to the auction block in New York. The late Jim Irsay’s remarkable collection of iconic Beatles items documenting the band’s evolution from their “mop-top” era to their peak creative phase includes a Ringo Starr drum estimated at $2 million.The once-in-a-lifetime sale includes Ringo’s Ed Sullivan Show drumhead, Revolver-era guitars, Paul’s handwritten “Hey Jude” lyrics, and the Beatles break-up affidavit, chronicling a journey from the heights of Beatlemania to the painful dissolution of the greatest rock band in history.The group of guitars alone, known as the greatest collection on Earth, include instruments owned by Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, Prince, Lou Reed, Eddie Van Halen, Johnny Cash, Les Paul, U2’s The Edge, Walter Becker of Steely Dan, Neal Schon of Journey, and John McVie of Fleetwood Mac.The Beatles: Crown Jewels of the CollectionThe Beatles portion of the Irsay Collection represents perhaps the most significant grouping of band memorabilia in private hands.Ringo Starr’s Drums:The Ed Sullivan Show Drumhead (February 9, 1964)The original Ludwig bass drumhead featuring the iconic “Beatles” drop-T logo was used during the Ed Sullivan Show TV performance seen by 73 million viewers, launching Beatlemania and the British Invasion. The prominent placement of the Ludwig logo created such a publicity burst that Ludwig became the dominant drum manufacturer in North America. The drumhead was presented to Ringo at the CBS-TV Studio 50 morning rehearsal and installed just in time for the broadcast.* Pre-auction estimate: $1,000,000 - $2,000,000Ringo’s First-Ever Ludwig “Downbeat” Kit (Oyster Black Pearl finish)Used for hundreds of live performances and studio recordings from May 1963 to February 1964, this kit was heard on many of the Beatles’ earliest hit recordings. It was purchased in spring 1963 from Drum City in London through manager Brian Epstein (he negotiated a trade: Ringo’s Premier kit for this Ludwig, and Drum City thew in the painted bass drum featuring the Beatles logo.)* Pre-auction estimate: $1,000,000 - $2,000,0001964 Ludwig Jazz Festival Snare Drum (from Ringo’s second kit)Purchased at Manny’s Music Store in Manhattan on February 9, 1964, this was used throughout Ringo’s time with the Beatles for studio recordings. Notably, Paul McCartney borrowed this snare drum to record his first solo album “McCartney” (1970), mixing components from Ringo’s first two kits. This drum was originally sold at Julien’s Auctions in 2015 for $75,000; Jim Irsay purchased it in 2019.Ringo’s 9-Carat Gold and Sapphire Pinky RingWorn throughout his Beatles years from 1961 through 1969, the ring was an iconic part of Ringo’s image during the band’s peak.* Pre-auction estimate: $60,000 - $100,000George Harrison’s Guitars:• 1964 Gibson SG Standard (Serial #227666, Cherry Red finish)George’s main studio guitar from 1966-1969 during the Beatles’ most experimental phase. The instrument was used extensively on the Revolver album (1966), including “She Said She Said,” “Doctor Robert,” “Taxman,” and “I Want to Tell You.” and it appeared prominently in the promotional films for “Paperback Writer” and “Rain” filmed at Chiswick House, London in May 1966.The guitar also appeared in the “Lady Madonna” promo film (1968), shot during the “Hey Bulldog” session, and was played during the Beatles’ final official UK concert at the 1966 NME Poll Winners Concert on May 1, 1966.John Lennon also used this guitar during White Album sessions in 1968, notably on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Harrison gave the guitar to Pete Ham of Badfinger in 1969, who played it extensively, including on “Baby Blue” (1972). After Ham’s death in 1975, the guitar was stored away for 28 years until the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame contacted Ham’s brother for a Badfinger retrospective in 2002. The guitar had been loaned to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before Irsay acquired it.* Pre-auction estimate: $800,000 - $1,200,0001963 Maton MS-500 Mastersound GuitarAn Australian-made acoustic guitar used by Harrison during Beatles performances, it was part of Harrison’s diverse guitar collection from the early Beatles era.John Lennon’s Guitars:1963 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 (Serial #53940, Western Orange finish)Used during the “Paperback Writer” and “Rain” recording sessions at EMI Studio 3, Abbey Road on April 14, 1966. It features painted f-holes and horseshoe peghead characteristic of the 6120 model. Lennon gave this guitar to his cousin David Birch in November 1967 when Birch visited Lennon’s home studio in Kenwood, Weybridge. Birch had asked Lennon for a spare guitar to start his own band; he had his eye on a Fender Stratocaster, but Lennon gave him the Gretsch instead. The wood ...