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Lennon's Attic Guitar Smashes Auction Record
14 Nov
Summary
- John Lennon's 1964 Framus guitar resurfaced after 50 years in an attic.
- The guitar was used by Lennon and Harrison on Help! and Rubber Soul.
- It sold for $2,857,500, a record for a Beatles-related guitar.
A 1964 Framus Hootenanny 12-string acoustic guitar, once belonging to John Lennon, has made a remarkable return to the public eye after being rediscovered in a British attic where it had been stored for over fifty years. Lennon acquired the instrument in late 1964 and later gifted it to Gordon Waller of the pop duo Peter and Gordon.
This significant instrument was played by both John Lennon and George Harrison during recording sessions for The Beatles' albums "Help!" and "Rubber Soul" in 1965. It also made an appearance in the band's 1965 film "Help!". After Lennon gifted it to Waller, it passed to his road manager, remaining with his family for decades.
The guitar resurfaced during a house move in 2024, prompting its authentication by experts who compared it with historical photographs. Despite being in poor condition, it underwent restoration before its sale. The instrument, along with its original case, was confirmed to be the genuine article.
In May 2024, the guitar was sold at Julien's Auctions in New York for an astounding $2,857,500. This sale set a new auction record for a Beatles-related guitar, significantly exceeding its pre-auction estimate and making it one of the most expensive guitars ever sold at auction.
