Millions of dollars in Beatles and other musical memorabilia from the collection of Ringo Starr and his wife, former Bond girl Barbara Bach, went on public display in Beverly Hills Monday ahead of an auction that will benefit a charitable foundation founded by the famous couple.
Among the iconic pieces on display and up for grabs at Julien’s Auctions are seven drum kits, including the 1963 Ludwig Oyster black Pearl three-piece set used in hundreds of Beatles performances and on the recordings of hits including “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “All My Loving,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “She Loves You.”
The drum set is expected to sell for between $300,000 and $500,000 when the three-day auction begins Thursday.
Also on the auction block are a Rickenbacker guitar given to Starr by John Lennon, custom-made drumsticks used by Starr on stage, a Gretsch guitar given to Starr by George Harrison and personal scripts for the film “Help!”
The auction also features an array of merchandise from the Starr/Bach homes in London, Beverly Hills and Monaco, including antiques, furnishings, fine art and personal items. Also up for grabs will be a 2000 Mercedes Coupe that was first owned by Harrison and later by Starr.
“This collection features so many remarkable items from The Beatles to Ringo Starr’s solo career to those special items collected by Barbara Bach for their residences,” said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions. “Every time we being to look through the inventory of this fantastic collection we simply are stunned when we think of the history truly represented here.”
A portion of proceeds from the auction will benefit the Lotus Foundation, which was founded by Starr and Bach to assist with causes around the world, including women’s issues, addiction recovery and education.
Starr and Bach are expected to walk the red carpet at a gala event Tuesday night celebrating the auction. The live and online auction will begin Thursday and continue through Sunday. The more than 800 available items will be on public display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday at Julien’s, 9665 Wilshire Blvd.
