Beatles instruments, Kerouac's first draft and the most expensive guitar in history: The auction that broke up one of the largest pop culture collections in history

"Lot after lot, we felt like we were making history, said Julien Pradels, regional president of Christie's auction house in the Americas, after the last bids for billionaire Jim Irsay's vast pop culture collection on March 12. This is no exaggeration, and not just because of the $84.1 million raised by the 44 lots—373% above what had been expected; or the 23 record prices, including five for what have become the most expensive guitars in history."

"The Liverpool band dominated the sale, but the highest price went to the black Fender Stratocaster that belonged to Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, fetching $14.55 million, which became the most expensive guitar in history at the end of a 21-minute bid."

"The list of items auctioned between March 3 and March 17 in New York was of interest to music aficionados around the world, particularly Beatles fans: from the Victorian Broadwood Upright piano used by John Lennon to compose A Day in the Life and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds which fetched $3,247,000 to the drum head that Ringo Starr played on Ed Sullivan's legendary show on February 9, 1964 which went for $2,881,000."

Jim Irsay's extensive pop culture collection was auctioned at Christie's in New York between March 3 and March 17, generating $84.1 million across 44 lots—373% above estimates. The sale featured iconic music memorabilia, particularly from The Beatles, including John Lennon's Victorian Broadwood piano that fetched $3.247 million and Ringo Starr's Ed Sullivan drum head at $2.881 million. David Gilmour's black Fender Stratocaster achieved the highest price at $14.55 million, becoming the most expensive guitar in history after a 21-minute bidding war. The auction established 23 record prices and five new records for guitar sales. Irsay, a billionaire who died in June at 65, was the Indianapolis Colts owner and compulsive collector who built his collection from 1997 onward.

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