An electric guitar played by George Harrison on British television fetched $657,000 at auction on Saturday in New York, topping pre-sale estimates, Julien’s Auctions said.
Harrison, who died in 2001 at age 58, played the black-and-white 1962 Rickenbacker 425 electric guitar on 1963 appearances on the British TV shows “Ready Stead Go!” and “Thank Your Lucky Stars” with the Beatles.
Harrison also played the guitar during the sessions when the Beatles recorded “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “This Boy” in October 1963.The guitar was estimated to sell between $400,000 and $600,000, Julien’s said ahead of the auction.
Harrison bought the guitar in 1963 in Mount Vernon, Illinois, while visiting his sister in the United States, the auction house said.
