In the end, the proceeds were significantly higher than the estimated value. A smashed guitar belonging to former Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) has fetched more than $486,000 at auction in New York. That corresponds to around 471,000 euros. The estimated value was $ 200,000, as announced by the auction house Julien’s on Sunday. Cobain demolished the “1973 Fender Mustang” during a performance on stage during his band Nirvana’s first US tour in 1989.
The auction was part of a three-day rock ‘n’ roll auction that saw over 1,500 pieces owned by musicians including Cobain, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Prince, Amy Winehouse, Madonna and Lady Gaga go under the hammer through Sunday night.
A 1972 Elvis Presley gold watch set with diamonds fetched $256,000, a Bob Dylan grand piano fetched $217,000, and a Prince blue electric guitar fetched $192,000. Round wire glasses that once belonged to John Lennon were auctioned for a good $162,000. A pair of well-worn Birkenstock sandals belonging to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs also fetched several times the estimate – the hammer price was over $218,000.
Several Gibson guitars, made in the colors of the Ukrainian flag of blue and yellow, were auctioned off at the auction for the victims of the Ukraine war. A Gibson Les Paul guitar, which ex-Beatle Paul McCartney performed with in the summer, brought in almost $77,000.
