A guitar used by John Lennon has been sold for an impressive $2.9 million. This sale has set a new world record for the highest-selling guitar at auction in Beatles history. The guitar in question is a 12-string Hootenanny acoustic that was used during the recording of the Beatles’ 1965 “Help!” album and film.
Remarkably, the guitar had not been seen or played for over 50 years. It was owned by Scottish guitarist Gordon Waller, who later gave it to the road managers of his band, Peter and Gordon.
The guitar had remained unused during this time
The guitar had remained unused during this time. When discovered by the new owners in the rural British countryside, they decided to auction it with an estimated value of between £485,000 and £647,000. The auction occurred via telephone bidding in New York as part of a two-day music icon sale by Julien’s Auctions.
David Goodman, the chief executive of the auctioneers, said, “We are absolutely thrilled and honored to have set a new world record with the sale of John Lennon’s lost Hootenanny guitar. This guitar is not only a piece of music history but a symbol of John Lennon’s enduring legacy. Today’s unprecedented sale is a testament to the timeless appeal and reverence of the Beatles’ music and John Lennon.” Darren Julien, the co-founder and executive director of Julien’s Auctions, mentioned that he had traveled to the UK to verify that the guitar was being properly stored at the house.