JOHN Lennon’s lost 1965 “Help!” guitar – found in a rural British attic – has sold for an unprecedented $2.9 million (£2.3 million), making it the most expensive Beatles guitar to ever sell at auction.
The Framus 12-String Hootenanny Acoustic played a pivotal role in creating The Beatles‘ iconic sound during the 1960s era.
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The guitar was instrumental in seminal recordings, sessions, and performances such as “Help!”, “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away”, “It’s Only Love”, “I’ve Just Seen A Face”, “Norwegian Wood”, and “Girl”, among others.
The significant Beatles artefact had been expected to set a world record for the highest-selling Fab Four guitar at Julien’s Auctions‘ Music Icons two-day event at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York, which began Wednesday (29 May).
Considered the most important Beatles guitar ever to come to market, it had been expected to exceed its estimate of $600k-$800k (£485k – £647k).
“We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to have set a new world record with the sale of John Lennon‘s lost hootenanny guitar,” said David Goodman, CEO of Julien’s Auctions.
“This guitar is not only a piece of music history but a symbol of John Lennon’s enduring legacy. Today symbolises what we do best at Julien’s – creating opportunities for people to reconnect with the cultural touchstones that have shaped the moments that matter most throughout their lives.
“Today’s unprecedented sale is a testament to the timeless appeal and reverence of The Beatles’ music and John Lennon.”
Julien’s Auctions’ said previous to the sale: “By the mid to late 60s, the famous Framus was in the possession of Gordon Waller of Peter & Gordon, who later gave the Hootenanny 12-string guitar to their road managers.
“It was recently discovered in an attic in the rural British countryside where it had lain forgotten and unplayed for over 50 years.
“The homeowners found the guitar in the midst of their move and contacted Julien’s Auctions.
“Executive Directors and Founders, Darren Julien and Martin Nolan, travelled to the UK and immediately recognised that this was indeed the storied Help! guitar.”
While on the premises, they also discovered the Framus’ original guitar case – a Maton Australian-made guitar case that can also be seen in photos taken of the Beatles in 1965 – in the trash and rescued it.
Darren Julien, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Julien’s Auctions, said: “The discovery of John Lennon’s Help! guitar that was believed to be lost is considered the greatest find of a Beatles guitar since Paul McCartney’s lost 1961 Höfner bass guitar.
“Finding this remarkable instrument is like finding a lost Rembrandt or Picasso, and it still looks and plays like a dream after having been preserved in an attic for more than 50 years.
“To awaken this sleeping beauty is a sacred honour and is a great moment for Music, Julien’s, Beatles and Auction history.”
The guitar was famously seen in The Beatles’ Help! film and various photographs during their 1965 recording sessions. and was also used during the Rubber Soul sessions on the recording of “Girl” and played by George Harrison on the rhythm track for “Norwegian Wood”.
The sale of the guitar, long forgotten and believed lost, includes the guitar, its original case, and a book featuring images of John Lennon with the guitar and Ringo Starr.
Julien’s Auctions has a track record of breaking world records with the sale of Beatles memorabilia, including John Lennon’s acoustic guitar that sold for $2.4 million (£1.9 million) and Ringo Starr’s Ludwig drum kit that sold for $2.2 million (£1.7 million).
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