A guitar once owned by John Lennon, a Gibson J-160E, recently sold for a remarkable $2.4 million at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. This historic instrument, renowned for its significant role in the early Beatles recordings, fetched a price far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of $600,000 to $800,000. The auction took place on November 7, 2015. John Lennon’s Long-Lost Guitar Smashes Auction Record at $2.4 Million

The Gibson J-160E was purchased by Lennon in 1962 from Rushworth’s Music House in Liverpool. He used this guitar extensively during the formative years of The Beatles, contributing to the creation of several iconic songs such as “She Loves You,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and “Please Please Me.” The guitar was featured in recordings and live performances throughout 1962 and 1963—John Lennon’s Long-Lost Guitar Smashes Auction Record at $2.4 Million.

The instrument went missing after a Beatles’ Christmas show at London’s Finsbury Park in 1963 and was rediscovered over 50 years later in a secondhand store. Its return to the spotlight has been hailed as one of the biggest finds in music history—John Lennon’s Long-Lost Guitar Smashes Auction Record at $2.4 Million.

The buyer of this prized guitar has chosen to remain anonymous. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit Spirit Foundations, Inc., a non-profit organization founded by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, underscoring the legendary musician’s lasting legacy and charitable spirit.