A Christie’s auction house will promote the sale of one of the largest collections in the history of music and cinema: the Jim Irsay collection, which brings together more than 400 items linked to big names like Kurt Cobain, The Beatles, Janis Joplin and Eric Clapton.
Among the musical highlights is the 1966 Fender Mustang guitar, used by in the recordings of “Nevermind and In Utero” and in the music video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. The instrument is estimated to cost between US$2.5 and US$5 million (around R$13.43 to R$26.8 million).
Another item among the most valuable is the guitar used by David Gilmour in the recording of some of the main albums of Pink Floyd — “The Dark Side of the Moon” (1973), “Wish You Were Here” (1975), “Animals” (1977) and “The Wall” (1979) — valued between US$2 and US$4 million (between R$10.4 and R$20.8 million).
From , buyers will be able to purchase a series of items: Ringo Starr’s first Ludwig drum set, used between 1963 and 1964 – as well as the instrument head – and a 9-karat gold ring worn by the drummer, John Lennon’s Gretsch Chet Atkins guitar from 1963, the Gibson SG Standard guitar used by George Harrison between 1966 and 1969, Paul McCartney’s manuscript of “Hey Jude”, the statement Paul also swore to end the band in 1970.
In literature, the original typed scroll of “On the Road”, by Jack Kerouac, stands out, with an estimate between R$13 and R$20.8 million.
The cinema is also present with items that left a mark on the public’s imagination, such as the golden ticket from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (1971), estimated between R$312 and R$624 thousand; the blue Santoni boots worn during rehearsals for “Rocky Balboa” (between R$20.8 and R$31.2 thousand); the “Wilson” volleyball from “Naufrágo” (R$312 and R$416 million); and the original script by supporting actor Randy Jurgensen for “The Godfather”still in the original studio packaging (between R$20.8 and R$31.2 thousand).
The sale will take place in a series of auctions organized into four categories: Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame; Jim Irsay Collection: Icons of Popular Culture; Jim Irsay Collection: Music Icons; e Jim Irsay Collection: Online. The items will be on display free of charge to the public at Christie’s, in Rockefeller Plaza, from March 6th to 12th.
A fifth auction, titled Jim Irsay Collection: Icons of Historywill be held on July 1st, with screenings at Rockefeller Plaza between June 25th and 30th.
Gathered over decades, Jim Irsay’s collection is considered one of the most important in the history of music. The collection was built by the philanthropist and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts, who died in May 2025. Part of the income obtained from the auctions will go to causes supported by the businessman throughout his life.
