February 21, 2025

George Harrison’s Early Beatles-Era Futurama Guitar Sold for $1.27 Million, Setting World Record

Share

Julien’s Auctions kicked off its blockbuster two-day music auction event, “Played, Worn & Torn II,” on November 20 at Nashville’s Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, setting a world record for the highest sale of a George Harrison guitar. Harrison’s early Beatles-era Futurama guitar, which sold for twice its estimate at $1.27 million, was one of two guitars he used most frequently with the band, playing it in over 324 Beatles performances and using it on their first official recordings for Polydor.

“George Harrison’s iconic Futurama guitar, one of the most important guitars in rock and roll history and formative to The Beatles’ sound, has made history at today’s auction,” said Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions. “We’re beyond thrilled to add this Harrison guitar to the Julien’s Auctions’ million-dollar club, which already includes guitars from John Lennon, Eric Clapton, and Kurt Cobain.”

Julien’s Auctions continues to solidify its position as a global leader in music, entertainment, and celebrity auctions, uniting collectors and enthusiasts from over 30 countries for this sale.

Other standout highlights include (winning bids with BP):

Mary Kaye’s 1956 Fender Stratocaster guitar: $222,250

Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s 1939 Gibson L5 Archtop guitar (with her name engraved on the truss rod cover): $76,200

Eric Clapton’s stage-played and signed Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster: $65,000

The Beatles’ John Lennon and Jacky Spelter’s stage-played 1962 Fender Jazzmaster “Jenny” and 1961 Bandmaster Piggyback amp: $63,500

Paul McCartney’s signed handwritten “Q” Magazine letter to John Lennon (never published): $28,575 (9x the estimate of $3,000–$5,000)

Exclusive Everly Brothers items also achieved impressive results, including:

Ike Everly’s 1950 Gibson ES5 Electric Archtop Guitar: $25,400

The Everly Brothers’ Gretsch Country Gentleman Electric Guitar, gifted by Chet Atkins to Don Everly: $19,050

Don Everly’s childhood tap shoes and top: $4,445 (nearly 15x the $300–$500 estimate)

Funds raised for charitable causes include:

Gibson Gives: Kirk Hammett of Metallica’s signed Epiphone ’79 Flying V electric guitar: $26,000 (above the $2,000–$4,000 estimate)

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund:
Dolly Parton’s signed Fender Malibu acoustic guitar: $19,500 (19x the $1,000–$2,000 estimate)

Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits’ signed Fender American Vintage II ’61 Stratocaster electric guitar: $16,250 (above the $1,000–$2,000 estimate)

Steve Vai’s signed Ibanez JEMJR electric guitar: $9,100 (above the $500–$700 estimate)

Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones’ signed Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster electric guitar: $7,800 (above the $1,000–$2,000 estimate)
Additional proceeds from items sold tomorrow will benefit:
Teenage Cancer Trust & Teen Cancer America, Music Health Alliance, and MusiCares.

Julien’s Auctions’ “Played, Worn & Torn II” is the industry-leading entertainment auction house’s seminal music memorabilia event, showcasing the biggest music acts of all time and their arsenal of instruments, wardrobe, gear, and other iconic items. The event concludes tomorrow, November 21, with a traditional day session starting at 10 a.m. CT, featuring nearly 900 items to be sold over two days at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum and online at juliensauctions.com.

4 COMMENTS

  1. you know got to be kidding me ain’t no way in the world I have a periodic kind of money for a Time instrument in 2024 the days of the guitar players all over 2024 guitar players are not popular anymore or in high demand in 2024 so don’t waste your money on a dime legacy guitar instrument

  2. in 2024 guitars are outdated do I think of the past it’s guitar players in 2024 are not in high demand you don’t need guitar player to make music or guitars they fade their old the outdated 2024

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

RELATED

Gibson TV and AXS TV Join Forces to Celebrate National Guitar Day with Slash, Mike Campbell, More

The network opens with an expose of the cherished gear of blues master Buddy Guy, and then continues its deep dive into the extraordinary, personal guitar collections of music’s biggest artists.

FretBuzz Gear of the Year 2024: Keeley Octa Psi — From Dark to Whimsial, a Simple, Versatile Fuzz Octave Combo

Inspired by and integrating elements of Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PI, the Digitech Whammy Pedal, and the Electro-Harmonix Pitchfork polyphonic pitch shifter, anyone looking to embellish or enhance their playing will find plenty to enjoy.

Watch a Preview For “Becoming Led Zeppelin,” A New Biography About the Year Jimmy Page’s Post-Yardbirds Band Went Supernova

“When I saw the early cut of the film premiered, at the Venice Film Festival, it was amazing. The energy of the story, and the power of the music, is phenomenal." -- Jimmy Page

Gibson Unveils New Custom Color Series ES-335 & ES-335 Figured Models

Offered in Figured Top and Plain Top versions, the new Gibson Custom Color Series ES-335s join the previously released and popular SG™ Standard, SG Standard ’61, and the Les Paul™ Standard 50s and 60s guitars.

Marshall Lights Up NAMM with New Gear, Benefit Show for California Wildfires Featuring Tom Morello, Nita Strauss, Others

In response to the recent wildfires affecting communities in Los Angeles, Marshall partnered with iconic DIY venue Chain Reaction to host an all-star benefit show during NAMM, with all proceeds going directly to MusiCares.

Watch the Mountain of New Gear Being Showcased at NAMM 2025

Here is some hot news about new products by Marshall, ESP, Peavey, Ibanez, Friedman, and Taylor. Stay tuned for more.

FretBuzz Gear of the Year 2024: Best Experimental Modulation — Gamechanger Audio Auto Chorus

Sonic adventurers and thrill seekers will grin in dumbstruck euphoria as they tinker with the multitude of configurations.

RELATED

Gibson TV and AXS TV Join Forces to Celebrate National Guitar Day with Slash, Mike Campbell, More

The network opens with an expose of the cherished gear of blues master Buddy Guy, and then continues its deep dive into the extraordinary, personal guitar collections of music’s biggest artists.

FretBuzz Gear of the Year 2024: Keeley Octa Psi — From Dark to Whimsial, a Simple, Versatile Fuzz Octave Combo

Inspired by and integrating elements of Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PI, the Digitech Whammy Pedal, and the Electro-Harmonix Pitchfork polyphonic pitch shifter, anyone looking to embellish or enhance their playing will find plenty to enjoy.

Watch a Preview For “Becoming Led Zeppelin,” A New Biography About the Year Jimmy Page’s Post-Yardbirds Band Went Supernova

“When I saw the early cut of the film premiered, at the Venice Film Festival, it was amazing. The energy of the story, and the power of the music, is phenomenal." -- Jimmy Page

Gibson Unveils New Custom Color Series ES-335 & ES-335 Figured Models

Offered in Figured Top and Plain Top versions, the new Gibson Custom Color Series ES-335s join the previously released and popular SG™ Standard, SG Standard ’61, and the Les Paul™ Standard 50s and 60s guitars.

Marshall Lights Up NAMM with New Gear, Benefit Show for California Wildfires Featuring Tom Morello, Nita Strauss, Others

In response to the recent wildfires affecting communities in Los Angeles, Marshall partnered with iconic DIY venue Chain Reaction to host an all-star benefit show during NAMM, with all proceeds going directly to MusiCares.

Watch the Mountain of New Gear Being Showcased at NAMM 2025

Here is some hot news about new products by Marshall, ESP, Peavey, Ibanez, Friedman, and Taylor. Stay tuned for more.

FretBuzz Gear of the Year 2024: Best Experimental Modulation — Gamechanger Audio Auto Chorus

Sonic adventurers and thrill seekers will grin in dumbstruck euphoria as they tinker with the multitude of configurations.