‘Ed Sullivan Show’ Beatles drumkit, Elton John’s Steinway piano and more to be sold at historic NYC auction
It’s about to put new meaning into the “rock” at Rockefeller Plaza.
A remarkable collection of music and sports memorabilia once owned by late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay will go up for auction at Christie’s this March, marking one of the most significant sales of artifacts from the rock ’n’ roll era.
The auction will feature some of the most iconic items in music history, including a drum played by Ringo Starr during the Beatles’ first U.S. television appearance and the Fender Mustang guitar Kurt Cobain used in the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video.
In addition to music treasures, the collection includes legendary sports memorabilia amassed by the longtime NFL owner, such as a bat used by Jackie Robinson and items signed by Babe Ruth. Christie’s head of private and iconic collections sales, Nathalie Ferneau, said the scope of the collection is extraordinary.
“It’s very rare for this many important objects to all be assembled in one place at one time,” Ferneau said, noting that the March 3–17 auction is expected to appeal to a wide range of collectors and fans. “Everyone has their own generational touch points, and this really spans all of them.”
She added, “He created something that’s greater than the sum of its parts.”
The “Jim Irsay Collection” has already attracted strong interest and is expected to draw record crowds when it is displayed publicly at Christie’s galleries in 20 Rockefeller Plaza from March 6 to 12. Admission will be free, continuing Irsay’s longtime commitment to sharing the collection with the public.
Irsay often said he collected items connected to defining moments in history. In a 2023 interview with ESPN, he reflected on the meaning behind his passion.
“I’ve pondered what real currency a memory has,” he said. “How did it shape who you are? There are historic moments that shifted the entire world. History is an incredible teacher.”
Several pieces are expected to sell for millions of dollars. A drumhead Starr used on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964 is estimated at $1 million to $2 million. Cobain’s 1966 Fender Mustang—purchased by Irsay in 2022 for $4.7 million after a bidding war—is expected to fetch between $2 million and $5 million.
Other standout music items include David Gilmour’s famed “Black Strat” guitar from Pink Floyd recordings, Jerry Garcia’s custom “Tiger” guitar, and John Lennon’s 1963 Gretsch used during Beatles sessions for “Paperback Writer” and “Rain.” The archive also includes handwritten lyrics to “Hey Jude” and a 1970 affidavit filed by Paul McCartney related to the Beatles’ breakup.
There are items for more modest budgets as well, including a Joe Walsh guitar slide with an estimate starting at $100.
Sports memorabilia includes Wayne Gretzky’s 1986–87 jersey from the season he scored his 500th NHL goal, Secretariat’s saddle from his 1973 Triple Crown win, and multiple Babe Ruth autographs, including a ball signed by both Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
Among the most valuable sports items is Muhammad Ali’s WBC Heavyweight Championship belt from his 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” victory, which could sell for up to $4 million.
Before the auction, the collection will embark on a world tour in early 2026, with planned stops in London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.
Irsay, who took control of the Colts in 1995, once said the collection was one of the great passions of his life. He turned down an offer exceeding $1 billion to sell it in its entirety.
“I was offered $1.15 billion for the collection,” he told ESPN. “I turned it down because, to me, it’s priceless. I never started collecting to treat it like an investment.”
Following Irsay’s death last May, his daughters announced they would sell a portion of the collection, with some proceeds benefiting charity.
“Our dad was a passionate collector, driven not by possession, but by a deep appreciation for beauty, history, and cultural meaning,” the family said in a statement. “Each piece tells a story, and he loved sharing those stories with the world.”
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