A 'lost' and 'long forgotten' guitar used byJohn Lennonwas found in an attic in the UK and has been sold for a whopping $2.9 million (£1.5 million) at auction.
The piece of memorabilia has set a 'new world record' for the highest-selling guitar at auction inBeatleshistory, after sitting untouched for more than 50 years.
It was acquired through a telephone bid at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York on Wednesday as part of a two-day music icons sale by Julien's Auctions.
The 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar, used in the recording of The Beatles' 1965 Help! album and film, was found in an attic by shocked homeowners moving into their new house, having been presumed lost and not being seen or played for more than 50 years.
After the guitar was used by The Beatles, the instrument was in the possession of Scottish guitarist Gordon Waller, known for being one half of the pop duo Peter & Gordon, who later gave the item to his band's road managers.
A 'lost' and 'long forgotten' guitar used by John Lennon was found in an attic in the UK and has been sold for a whopping $2.9 million (£1.5 million) at auction (pictured with the guitar in 1964)
The 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar, used in the recording of The Beatles' 1965 Help! album and film, was found in an attic having been presumed lost and not been seen or played for more than 50 years
It was used during the recording sessions for Help!, It's Only Love, I've Just Seen A Face and Girl
Decades later, the new owners living in the rural British countryside rediscovered the guitar in the midst of their move and put it up for auction with an estimate of £485,000 to £647,000.
It was 'long forgotten' and 'unseen for over 50 years' before it was rediscovered, according to Julien's.
'The discovery of John Lennon's Help! guitar that was believed to be lost is considered the greatest find of a Beatles guitar since Paul McCartney's lost 1961 Höfner bass guitar,' said Darren Julien, Julien's executive director and co-founder.
Julien said that 'finding this remarkable instrument is like finding a lost Rembrandt or Picasso, and it still looks and plays like a dream after having been preserved in an attic for more than 50 years.
'To awaken this sleeping beauty is a sacred honor and is a great moment for music, Julien's, Beatles and auction history.'
The guitar was seen in the scene of the Help! movie when the group perform You've Got To Hide Your Love Away.
It was also used during the recording sessions for Help!, It's Only Love, I've Just Seen A Face and Girl along with the rhythm track for Norwegian Wood played by George Harrison.
The guitar was previously described by the auction house as 'one of the most historically important Beatles guitars in rock history'.
The guitar was also played by George Harrison during studio sessions (pictured above)
The acoustic guitar appeared in multiple photographs of Beatles recording sessions
Julien said that 'finding this remarkable instrument is like finding a lost Rembrandt or Picasso, and it still looks and plays like a dream after having been preserved in an attic for more than 50 years'
The guitar was seen in the scene of the Help! movie when the group perform You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
The guitar was acquired through a telephone bid at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York on Wednesday, as part of a two-day music icons sale by Julien's Auctions (John Lennon pictured in 1965)
The piece of memorabilia has set a 'new world record' for the highest-selling guitar at auction in Beatles history
The guitar was previously described by the auction house as 'one of the most historically important Beatles guitars in rock history'
Help!, which was the iconic quarter's fifth studio album, was the soundtrack to the film of the same titled released in August of 1965.
Among the most prominent tracks on the record include Yesterday, Ticket to Ride and You're Going to Lose That Girl.
The guitar was first seen in the mid-1960s, according to Julien's, as chronicled in the group's film and photos snapped by Sean O'Mahoney, who published the Beatles fan club magazine Beatle Monthly Book at the time, according to the auction house.
The specific tracks the guitar can be heard on in the album include the title track, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, I've Just Seen A Face and It's Only Love, Julien's said.
Other tracks the distinctive musical instrument can be heard on include the 1965 Beatles track Girl and Norwegian Wood, from the group's Rubber Soul album released in December of that year.
The Beatles have past buoyed the auction house to world record sales, as previous sales include an acoustic guitar from Lennon that sold for $2.4 million.
Meanwhile, Ringo Starr's Ludwig drum kit sold for $2.4 million and a Ludwig Beatles Ed Sullivan Show drumhead sold for $2.1 million.
The Beatles have past buoyed the auction house to world record sales, as previous sales include an acoustic guitar from Lennon that sold for $2.4 million; while Ringo Starr's Ludwig drum kit sold for $2.4 million
Help!, which was the iconic quarter's fifth studio album, was the soundtrack to the film of the same titled released in August of 1965
'We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to have set a new world record with the sale of John Lennon's lost hootenanny guitar,' David Goodman, chief executive of Julien's Auctions, said.
'This guitar is not only a piece of music history but a symbol of John Lennon's enduring legacy.
'Today symbolises what we do best at Julien's – creating opportunities for people to reconnect with the cultural touchstones that have shaped the moments that matter most throughout their lives.
'Today's unprecedented sale is a testament to the timeless appeal and reverence of The Beatles' music and John Lennon.'
