CNN —A 12-string guitar played by Beatles stars John Lennon and George Harrison and thought to have been lost for almost 60 years is going up for auction.
The acoustic Framus “Hootenanny” was used by the band in 1965, featuring in recordings, sessions and performances of songs including “Help!” “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” and “It’s Only Love,” according to California-based auction house Julien’s Auctions.
After that, Lennon gave the guitar to a friend, who passed it on to someone “who took the guitar home, tossed it in the attic, and gave it nary a thought for decades,” the auction house said in a statement published Wednesday.
“It has some distinctive markings which made it easily identifiable,” said the auction house, but “the real proof is in the sound.”Lennon pictured in December 1963.
It is expected to set a world record for the most expensive Beatles guitar, the auction house said.
Persons:
John Lennon, George Harrison, Lennon, “, Andy Babiuk, ”, ” Lennon, Julien’s, Ryan Schuermann, Gibson
Organizations:
CNN, Beatles, ITV, Julien’s
Locations:
California, Germany, New York City