There was just a MASSIVE record-breaking auction for a private music memorabilia collection
Jim Isray had a lot of money, enough to be the owner of the Indianapolis Colts. He had enough money left over to indulge in collecting some very rare music items. He was always bidding at rock memorabilia auctions.
But then, last May 25, Jim died at the age of 65 from cardiac arrest caused by complications created by pneumonia. This week, The Jim Isray Collection of music memorabilia, perhaps the most valuable and esoteric private collection anyway, went up for auction. And…wow.
The total for the guitar auction was US$84,091,350. That included:
- US$14,550,000 for David Gilmour’s legendary Black Strat that was used on so many Pink Floyd albums and tours. Bidding went on for 21 minutes.
- Jerry Garcia’s custom-built Doug Irwin guitar (“Tiger”) sold for US$11,560,000
- Kurt Cobain’s Fender Mustang as seen in the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video went for US$6,907,000.
- A 1939 Martin 000-42 once owned by Eric Clapton: US$4,101,00
- Another Eric Clapton guitar: A Gibson SG (“The Fool”) sold for US$3,003,00
- George Harrison’s Gibson SG Standard: US$2,271,000
The auction also included:
- A Broadway upright piano once owned by John Lennon: US$3,247,000
- Ringo’s first Ludwig drum kit: US$2,393,000
- The bass drum head with the Beatles logo as seen on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964: US$2,881,000.
Read more about the auction and all the other items up for sale here. The auction continues until Tuesday. (March 17).
