The Jim Irsay Collection sale live! The biggest guitar auction in history as it happens

We're live on the ground at Christie's auction house in New York as the world's greatest guitar collection goes under the hammer

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(from left) David Gilmour's Black Strat, Kurt Cobain's Smells Like Teen Spirit Mustang, and Jerry Garcia's “Tiger” guitar
(from left) David Gilmour's Black Strat, Kurt Cobain's Smells Like Teen Spirit Mustang, and Jerry Garcia's “Tiger” guitar, all set to go under the hammer as part of the massive Jim Irsay Collection auction (Image credit: © Joby Sessions/Future)

During his lifetime, the late Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay used his considerable wealth to amass the most valuable private guitar collection in the world.

Three of the 10 most expensive guitars ever sold at auction – including Kurt Cobain’s Smells Like Teen Spirit Mustang and David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster, numbers 2 and 3 on that respective list – belonged to Irsay, and the value of his whole collection has been estimated at a billion dollars.

Earlier this year, though, it was revealed that the whole thing – the jewels included – would go under the hammer at Christie's auction house in New York. Now, the day of that mega-auction is upon us – and we're live on the floor.

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One of the most iconic guitars of the 1960s, Eric Clapton’s The Fool SG, has just sold for a whopping $3 million, after a massive bidding war. This is also far above its estimate. One of the most significant six-strings in the lot, it will forever be associated with Slowhand's tenure in Cream.

Eric Clapton's 1964 Gibson SG, better known as “The Fool” SG

(Image credit: Joby Sessions/Future)

Though not the most valuable guitar in the lot, this custom, prototype guitar made by Vox for the Beatles in 1966 is certainly one of the most unique. Someone's just parted ways with just about $600k to grab it.

A custom, prototype guitar made by Vox for the Beatles in 1966

(Image credit: Joby Sessions/Future)

Aaaaand the 1964 Gibson SG pictured below – used extensively by George Harrison from 1966-1968 – has said, “hold my beer!” $2.27 million! This was well over its estimate. Will that be a theme as the evening goes on?

A vintage Gibson SG used extensively by George Harrison with the Beatles from the mid- to late-'60s

(Image credit: Christies)

Owned by John Lennon and used by him for the Beatles' 1964 Christmas show – then later gifted to Ringo Starr – this 1964 Rickenbacker has become the first mega guitar sale of the auction, with a sale price of $1.27 million.

A 1964 Rickenbacker Model 1996 owned by John Lennon and given to Ringo Starr

(Image credit: Joby Sessions/Future)

No blockbuster guitar sales yet, but we've just seen one of Ringo Starr's drum kits sell for north of $2 million!

The room's filled up since this writer took this photo. Recognize those guitars up there in the front?

The Jim Irsay Collection auction

(Image credit: Jackson Maxwell/Future)

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