This is the second auction in a month that Julien’s, an auction house which focuses specifically on celebrity memorabilia, are holding in order to sell items once owned by the Beatles.
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The Indianapolis Colts owner made his latest pricey purchase Friday, picking up Ringo Starr’s first Ludwig drum set at auction for $1.75 million.
The three-day sale this week by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles featured items including musical instruments, career memorabilia, antiques, custom-made eclectic furnishings, artworks and personal items belonging to Starr and his wife Barbara Bach from their London estate, and Beverly Hills and Monaco residences.
It followed a sale on Friday of one of Starr’s early drum kits for $2.2 million to Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.
The 1963 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl drum kit was used at over 200 shows in the sixties after Starr took possession of it on 12 May, 1963.
He said in a text message: “Finally, after 45 years, the Beatles are together again”. Part of the proceeds go to the couple’s Lotus Foundation, which supports charitable projects aiming to advance social welfare.
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The first numbered copy of the LP was rumoured to be John Lennon’s who, according to Paul McCartney, “shouted the loudest” for it when the band chose to have the copies numbered. He’s a big music fan and collector.
