Beatles, Nirvana, Pink Floyd: Huge Auction at Christie's - January 18, 2026

US philanthropist Jim Irsay collected musical instruments from legendary bands, as well as objects from pop culture, sports, and film history. Following Irsay's death, a large portion of his gigantic collection will be auctioned.

Legendary instruments, handwritten lyrics, and sports memorabilia will go under the hammer at a major Christie's auction in New York in March. Selected highlights from the multi-part auction can be viewed in advance until January 22 at an exhibition in the auction house's London location.

Several hundred items from the "Jim Irsay Collection," one of the most important private collections of its kind, will be auctioned. US entrepreneur, billionaire, and philanthropist Jim Irsay, longtime owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts and a passionate collector, died last year.

Guitars by Cobain and Gilmour, lyrics by Dylan

The auction focuses on iconic instruments from rock history. A highlight is a 1966 Fender Mustang that belonged to Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. "It was one of his favorite guitars," Amelia Walker, head of the private and significant collections department at Christie's London, told the German Press Agency.
Cobain played it on the albums "Nevermind" and "In Utero." It also appears in the video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit." "So it's really a central element in the entire Nirvana story," Walker said. Christie's expects bids of up to €4.3 million.

Bidding of up to €3.4 million is expected for David Gilmour's black Fender Stratocaster, which he used to decisively shape the sound of Pink Floyd.

More affordable options include a trumpet belonging to Miles Davis (estimated value: up to €130,000), a saxophone belonging to John Coltrane (€51,000), and a robe worn by James Brown (€42,000).
Bob Dylan's handwritten lyrics to "The Times They Are A-Changin'" could fetch up to €680,000.

A Room Full of Beatles Memorabilia

An entire room of the exhibition is dedicated to Beatles memorabilia. On display in London is the bass drum head that drummer Ringo Starr used during the "Fab Four's" legendary 1964 appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." "That was a moment that changed everything in the 20th century," says Walker. It is estimated to be worth up to €1.8 million.

Starr's first Ludwig drum kit, guitars belonging to John Lennon and George Harrison, a handwritten lyric by Paul McCartney for "Hey Jude," and the Beatles' affidavit of dissolution will also be auctioned.

Manuscript by Jack Kerouac, Muhammad Ali's WBC world championship belt

Objects from literature, sports, and film will also go under the hammer. The top lot is expected to be Jack Kerouac's typewritten manuscript of his novel "On the Road." "It's the bible of the Beat Generation," says Amelia Walker. Christie's anticipates bids of up to €4.3 million.

A highlight from sports history is Muhammad Ali's WBC world championship belt, which he won in 1974 by defeating George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle." The auction house expects it to fetch up to €3.4 million.

Among the film-related items up for auction are a handwritten screenplay by Sylvester Stallone for the classic film "Rocky," a "Golden Ticket" from the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," and a pair of glasses worn by Mike Myers in the first "Austin Powers" film.

The auction will take place in four sessions from March 3 to 17 – live in person in New York and online. According to Christie's, a portion of the proceeds will go to charity.

dpa

 

...now to be redistributed among other billionaires, and never seen again.

 

His widow needs a new yacht?
Make that his whole family needs new yachts... that's a lot of mill of buckaroos.
They are so saddened he passed away, they have to drown their sorrows in the ocean.

 

Last edited: Jan 18, 2026 at 11:04 AM