A guitar played by George Harrison of the Beatles was sold for $567,500 Friday, topping the bill at what auction house Christie’s said was its biggest ever sale of show business memorabilia.
The Gibson SG electric guitar, played by Harrison from 1966-1969, was the star attraction among over 400 lots, ranging from guitars and clothing to scraps of paper signed by stars.
The guitar, which had a pre-sale estimate of $500,000, was used while recording the Beatles’ “Revolver” album. John Lennon also played it on what is commonly known as “The White Album”.
The Beatles guitar was recently rediscovered and has been on loan to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2002.
Harrison gave the guitar to Pete Ham of Badfinger and after Ham’s death in 1974, it was stored away for 28 years by his brother John Ham. The guitar was found during preparations for a Badfinger retrospective at the Hall of Fame in 2002.
Among other lots, a pair of Elvis Presley’s leather stage pants raised $35,850 and a Bob Dylan album cover with the songwriter’s signature and handwritten lyrics sold for $33,460.