Jim Irsay Collection Sells for $94M, See List of Records from Largest Memorabilia Auction in History

A memorabilia collection owned by late former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay sold for just over $94.4 million at Christie's Auction House, per Sarah Jean Maher of The Athletic.

All of the available lots were sold over three live auctions and one online auction that were held between March 3 and 17, via Maher.

The auctions broke 28 world records, including these 10 results that all occurred during the first night of the series.

Jim Irsay Collection World Records

• For any guitar: David Gilmour's "Black Strat," $14,550,000
• For a literary manuscript: Original Typescript Scroll for "On the Road," $12,135,000
• For an Irwin Guitar: Jerry Garcia's custom-built "Tiger," $11,560,000
• For Kurt Cobain: Fender Mustang used in "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video, $6,907,000
• For Eric Clapton: the 1939 Martin 000-42, $4,101,000
• For any Beatles object: John Lennon's Broadwood Upright Piano, $3,247,000
• For a Gibson guitar: Eric Clapton's Gibson SG "The Fool," $3,003,000
• For Ringo Starr: Beatles 'Drop T' logo drum head used in The Ed Sullivan Show, $2,881,000
• For lyrics: Bob Dylan handwritten lyrics for "The Times They Are a Changin,'" $2,515,000
• For drums: Ringo Starr's First Ludwig kit, $2,393,000

via Christie's Auction House.

Irsay's collection also included several sports items including the saddle used by jockey Ron Turcotte while riding Secretariat to the 1973 Triple Crown as well as the the jersey that Wayne Gretzky wore with the Edmonton Oilers as he scored his 500th career NHL goal (h/t ESPN's Dan Hajducky).

Irsay took over as the Colts' owner in 1997 and remained in the role until his death at the age of 65 on May 21, 2025. Indianapolis made 16 playoff appearances during his tenure leading the team, including a Super Bowl victory during the 2006 season.