The world’s most famous drum head, the hand-painted bass drum skin for The Beatles’ album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” sold to a private buyer for $1.1 million on Thursday July 10th. That made it the star attraction at Christie’s rock and pop memorabilia auction in London, among other items from The Beatles, John Lennon, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and The Who.
Lennon’s hand-written song lyrics for “Give Peace A Chance” sold for $833,000. His sunglasses from the ‘lost weekend’ were also sold ($78K), along with The Best of The Beatles autographed magazine ($26K.) A 1967 Gibson SG Special, a guitar from Pete Townshend, commanded a price of $64,000.
Two famous amplifiers were also sold. A 1966 Marshall Super Lead 100 Watt amplifier head from The Jimi Hendrix Experience sold for $49,000, while a 1969 model Acoustic 361 bass stack from Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones went for $27,000.
A spokesperson at Christie’s commented that this was a record-breaking sale with the highest total ever for an entertainment memorabilia auction at Christie’s South Kensington. The Sgt. Pepper’s drum skin achieved the highest price for a piece of rock and roll memorabilia at Christie’s worldwide. That beats the price paid for Eric Clapton’s “Blackie” guitar, which sold at Christie’s New York in 2004 for $959,500.
This continues to validate our belief that buyers are willing to pay top prices for unique pieces of high end rock and roll memorabilia. Not just guitars and autographs, but almost any piece of musical equipment, stage props, clothing, personal items or recordings.
Worthy of note, along with these premium prices comes a very complete authentication process. Very often a picture showing the artist with the item, or an album cover with the instrument. Sometimes a certificate of authenticity. Christie’s has very complete lot notes for these items.
