Jim Irsay guitar collection: 3 famous guitars collected by Colts owner
Jim Irsay owns more than just the Indianapolis Colts.
Ethan May, IndyStar
- The Jim Irsay Collection, which experts have valued at more than $1 billion, will be offered at Christie’s New York in a series of auctions starting in March.
- Among the items in Irsay’s collection is an Apple II manual signed by Steve Jobs, Hunter S. Thompson’s Red Shark convertible and Jack Kerouac’s original typewritten manuscript of “On The Road.”
- A portion of the proceeds will be donated to philanthropy championed by Irsay throughout his life.
INDIANAPOLIS — The family of late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is selling his collection of 199 guitars — dubbed “the greatest guitar collection on Earth” by Guitar World magazine — as well as an eclectic assortment of hundreds of other historic artifacts Irsay amassed from the worlds of pop culture, American history, literature, music and sports.
The Jim Irsay Collection, which experts have valued at more than $1 billion, will be offered at Christie’s New York in a series of auctions starting in March.
“This decision was not made lightly, but with deep reflection and love for the legacy he built,” the Irsay family said in a statement provided by the Colts. A few pieces from the collection will remain with the Irsay family, but “the majority” will be sold.
“Our dad was a passionate collector, driven not by possession, but by a profound appreciation for the beauty, history and cultural resonance of the items he curated,” the Irsay family said. “From iconic instruments to handwritten lyrics by legends to rare historical artifacts and documents, each piece in the collection tells a story – and he was always so excited to share those stories with the world.”
At the center of the Irsay collection, Christie’s said in announcing the sale, are the instruments that were owned and played by some of the greatest artists in music history, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain, Eddie Van Halen and Eric Clapton.
Items owned by Elton John, Ringo Starr, John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Jim Morrison will also be on the auction block.
As Irsay immersed himself in professional football for more than 40 years, first as general manager of the Colts and then as owner, he always had a side gig — collector extraordinaire.
The collection “includes extraordinary sports and movie memorabilia, U.S. presidential artifacts, extremely rare books, documents and manuscripts with a focus on American history, the ‘Beatnik’ movement and much more,” Christie’s said.
There is an Apple II manual signed by Steve Jobs, Hunter S. Thompson’s Red Shark convertible and Jack Kerouac’s original typewritten manuscript of “On The Road.”
“Christie’s is honored to offer this magnificent collection, so lovingly compiled, maintained, and shared bylegendary collector Jim Irsay over decades,” Julien Pradels, president of the Christie’s Americans region, said in a statement announcing the sale.
In recent years, Irsay transformed the collection into a traveling museum and hosted free exhibitions across the U.S. He loaned items to museums, nonprofits and others for display and research, “always with the hope that others would be inspired and united,” the Irsay family said.
Irsay never referred to himself as the owner of the collection but as its steward.
“Now, we believe it’s time for a new life for the collection, and it’s our sincere hope that these artifacts find future stewards who understand and cherish their significance,” the Irsay family said. “In honor of our dad’s lifelong focus on giving, a portion of the proceeds from the sale will go toward philanthropy close to his heart. Giving back was always central to his vision, and this next chapter honors that commitment.”
Free public exhibitions will be part of the sales at Christie’s New York, who said “passionate collectors around the globe (will) have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of history, and provide this exquisite collection its next chapter.”
More information on the auction will be available in the coming months as the sale approaches. Sign up for updates
Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.
