Jim Irsay spent 25 years building what he called "The Greatest Guitar Collection on Earth." He once turned down $1.15 billion for the whole thing. Someone from the Middle East wanted it all. Irsay said no.
Now his three daughters are saying yes.
Christie's New York will auction nearly 400 items from The Jim Irsay Collection across four sales from March 3 to 18. Live auctions on March 12, 13, and 14. Online bidding March 3 through 17. A free public exhibition at 20 Rockefeller Plaza runs March 6 to 12.
The Indianapolis Colts owner died May 21, 2025, at age 65. His daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson, now run the Colts. They made the decision to sell.
"This decision was not made lightly," the family said, "but with deep reflection and love for the legacy he built."
A portion of proceeds benefits Irsay's mental health charity, Kicking The Stigma.
The Guitars
About 200 of the 400 items are guitars. A century of sound in one collection.
Kurt Cobain's 1966 Fender Mustang - $2.5 to $5 million. The guitar from "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Irsay paid $4.6 million for it in 2022, a record at the time.
David Gilmour's "Black Strat" - $2 to $4 million. The Fender Stratocaster Gilmour played on Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall. Irsay paid $3.975 million at auction in 2019.
Jerry Garcia's "Tiger" - $1 to $2 million. Garcia's primary guitar from 1979 to 1989. Irsay bought it in 2002 for $957,500. It's appreciated at least 100% since.
Bob Dylan's Signed 1963 Martin Acoustic - $2 to $5 million. From the era when Dylan went electric and changed everything.
John Lennon's 1963 Gretsch Chet Atkins - $600,000 to $800,000. For context, a long-lost Lennon guitar sold for $2.85 million in 2024.
Eric Clapton's 1939 Martin 000-42 - $800,000 to $1.2 million. From the MTV Unplugged session.
Beyond the Guitars
Ringo Starr's Ed Sullivan Show Drum Kit - $2.05 to $4.05 million. The drums from the night the Beatles invaded America. The logo drum head alone is estimated at $1 to $2 million.
Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" Manuscript - $2.5 to $4 million. The original scroll. Irsay paid $2.43 million for it in 2001.
Muhammad Ali's "Rumble in the Jungle" Championship Belt - Irsay paid $6.18 million for it. Estimate not yet public, but it's one of the most iconic pieces of sports memorabilia in existence.
The Alcoholics Anonymous Original Manuscript - Irsay paid $2.4 million in 2018. Deeply personal to a family that has been open about addiction and recovery.
Wilson the Volleyball from Castaway - $60,000 to $80,000. Because of course he had that too.
What This Means
Collections like this don't come up. Not at this scale. Not with this provenance.
The total collection was valued at over $1 billion. Individually at auction, Christie's expects $800 to $900 million. The marquee Hall of Fame live auction on March 12 alone features 44 lots with pre-sale estimates approaching $40 million.
For collectors, this is a once-in-a-generation buying opportunity. For everyone else, the free exhibition at Rockefeller Plaza is a chance to see Cobain's guitar, Ringo's drums, and Garcia's Tiger in person.
Irsay started collecting in earnest after inheriting the Colts in 1997. He wasn't a passive buyer. He chased the instruments that changed music. The guitars that were there when the world shifted.
Now they shift again.
Christie's. March 3 to 18. New York.
