Beatles memorabilia is big business, with a number of upcoming auctions selling off anything from John Lennon's "Love Me Do" guitar to the Fab Four's first recording contract. Drummer Ringo Starr has now announced he's cleaning his closet and set to bring a few other cherished items to the highest bidder.
It's been revealed that Starr and his wife, Barbara Bach, will be putting 800 items up for sale December 4 and 5 at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, CA. The collection of personal items will include a number of Beatles-related ephemera.
Starr said he first started thinking about selling off some excess items while combing through his archives after being approached by the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles to help put together an exhibition in 2013. He also has a memorabilia-related book in the works. According to the drummer, much of the items have just been collecting dust over the years.
"We have so much stuff and a lot of it we haven't seen in 20 to 30 years," Starr told Associated Press, adding, "We're fed up with having the stuff in storage when it could be put to some good use and also give a lot of people joy."
Of note are a three-piece drum kit Starr had used in over 200 performances, as well as the "Beatle-Backer" Rickenbacker guitar Lennon had played before gifting the instrument to his bandmate. Similarly, a Gretsch guitar that once belonged to George Harrison is also being put in the auction. All told, seven guitars will be revealed in the auction, while another custom seven-piece drum kit will be up for grabs as well.
Additionally, Starr's rare personal copy of the Beatles' 1968 The White Album No. 1 will be up for sale, as will clothes, furniture, tea cups and saucers, and more.
Ahead of the auction, the Beatle's instruments and personal items will be put on display at New York's Hard Rock Café, the Museum of Style Icons in Ireland, and at Julien's Auctions.
It's been revealed that Starr and his wife, Barbara Bach, will be putting 800 items up for sale December 4 and 5 at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, CA. The collection of personal items will include a number of Beatles-related ephemera.
Starr said he first started thinking about selling off some excess items while combing through his archives after being approached by the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles to help put together an exhibition in 2013. He also has a memorabilia-related book in the works. According to the drummer, much of the items have just been collecting dust over the years.
"We have so much stuff and a lot of it we haven't seen in 20 to 30 years," Starr told Associated Press, adding, "We're fed up with having the stuff in storage when it could be put to some good use and also give a lot of people joy."
Of note are a three-piece drum kit Starr had used in over 200 performances, as well as the "Beatle-Backer" Rickenbacker guitar Lennon had played before gifting the instrument to his bandmate. Similarly, a Gretsch guitar that once belonged to George Harrison is also being put in the auction. All told, seven guitars will be revealed in the auction, while another custom seven-piece drum kit will be up for grabs as well.
Additionally, Starr's rare personal copy of the Beatles' 1968 The White Album No. 1 will be up for sale, as will clothes, furniture, tea cups and saucers, and more.
Ahead of the auction, the Beatle's instruments and personal items will be put on display at New York's Hard Rock Café, the Museum of Style Icons in Ireland, and at Julien's Auctions.
