For many years, the Jim Irsay Collection was regarded as the greatest and most comprehensive collection in the world. Every instrument and cultural artifact within it holds exceptional historical significance. Before this landmark collection was auctioned at Christie’s, we had the opportunity to attend a private viewing and admire some of its finest pieces. Join us as we take a closer look.

George Harrison and the 1964 Gibson SG

Some guitars tell a story. Others tell history. The 1964 Gibson SG once owned by George Harrison is one of those instruments whose aura has remained untouched by time. We had the privilege of playing it during a preview at Matt’s Guitar Shop, just before it was offered for sale as part of the spectacular Jim Irsay Collection auction. And it has to be said: it would be hard to imagine a more symbolic guitar.

George Harrison acquired this Gibson SG around 1966, at a pivotal moment in the Beatles’ career. It was the Revolver era, one of the band’s most creative and groundbreaking albums. This was a period when the Beatles were pushing every boundary, exploring new sounds, experimenting in the studio, and radically transforming their songwriting. This SG accompanied that very transition.

It notably appears during the filmed session for “Hey Bulldog” in February 1968, now considered iconic, where both George Harrison and John Lennon can be seen playing the guitar. The footage, shot in color, was originally used to promote “Lady Madonna.”

A Historic Gibson SG from the Jim Irsay Collection

But the story of this SG did not end with the Beatles. In the late 1960s, reflecting the spirit of friendship and mutual support that defined the era, George Harrison gave the guitar to Pete Ham of Badfinger, a band signed to Apple, the label founded by the Beatles themselves. The guitar thus passed from one Beatle to another major figure in British rock, extending its remarkable story beyond the most influential band of all time.

We had the opportunity to hold and play it at Matt’s Guitar Shop before its sale at Christie’s on March 12, 2026. At moments like these, words almost become secondary. Because playing a guitar like this is not simply about trying an instrument. It is about connecting with an era, an energy, and an extraordinary burst of creativity.

A Record-Breaking Sale at Christie’s

After passing through several owners following Harrison’s ownership, this Gibson SG was ultimately sold for more than two million dollars under the hammer at Christie’s.