The Jim Irsay Collection auction held by Christie’s gave collectors a rare opportunity to be the next custodians of timeless objects. The auction saw one of the greatest troves of memorabilia ever assembled, meticulously compiled over decades. The late philanthropist, passionate music lover, and owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts amassed a remarkable collection of music, film, sports memorabilia and historic Americana.
Along instruments once played by all four Beatles were original manuscripts by Jack Kerouac, along with legendary artefacts tied to Muhammad Ali and other sport icons. Objects that have inspired generations and continue to shine as beacons of our shared creative legacy were presented to the public to much aplomb.
“The Irsay sale did justice to the brilliance of the collector, and of the monumental pieces he brought together, iconic objects that tell the story of our culture and our times,” the President of Christie’s Americas, Julien Pradels.
The opening sale proved the magnitude of that legacy as records fell – twenty-three of them in total – during the auction. The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame soared nearly four times past its low estimate, achieving an extraordinary $84,091,350. Every lot found a buyer. “Lot after lot we felt like we were making history,” continued Pradels.
Among the multitude of records some included:
For a guitar auction $84,091,350
- For any guitar: David Gilmour’s “Black Strat” $14,550,000
- For a literary manuscript: Original Typescript Scroll for “On the Road” $12,135,000
- For drums Ringo Starr: Beatle logo drum head used in Ed Sullivan Show $2,881,000
- For Eric Clapton: the 1939 Martin 000-42 $4,101,000
- For a Gibson guitar: Eric Clapton’s Gibson SG “The Fool” $3,003,000
- For a literary manuscript: Original Typescript Scroll for “On the Road” $12,135,000
- For Jim Morrison: a Jim Morrison handwritten notebook $120,650
- For lyrics: Bob Dylan handwritten lyrics for “The Times They Are a Changin’” $2,515,000
- For any horseracing object: Secretariat race-used 1973 Triple Crown saddle $1,524,000
- For a guitar owned by a woman: Janis Joplin’s Gibson J-45 $381,000
- For a Saxophone: John Coltrane’s prototype Yamaha Nippon Gakki Alto Saxophone $431,800
- For a Trumpet: Miles Davis Martin Committee Trumpet $1,651,000
The Jim Irsay Collection is one of the greatest troves of memorabilia ever assembled, meticulously compiled over decades by the late philanthropist, passionate music lover, and owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts. A portion of the proceeds of these sales will be donated to philanthropic causes supported by Jim Irsay during his lifetime.
