Jim Irsay Collection sets new records with Black Strat selling for $14.55 million dollars

On March 12, 2026, the late Jim Irsay, former owner of the Indianapolis Colts, had his vast and impressive collection of famous musical instruments, sports memorabilia, and a slew of other kinds of iconic pieces. The sales were overseen by Christie's Auction House and it generated 93 million dollars, which significant amounts of money went to charity. Here are some of the notiable items.

Eric Clapton/Todd Rundgren's "The Fool" SG

Eric Clapton and Todd Rundgren were some of the more prolific songwriters of the mid-to-late 60s, 70s and so on. The famous Gibson "The Fool" SG started it's life as a cherry red 1964 Gibson SG Standard. In 1967, Eric Clapton commissioned two Dutch artists by the names of Marijke Koger and Simon Posthuma to design the guitar. What they made would become one of the most beautiful and iconic guitars not only of the 60s psychedelic era, but of all time. Eric Clapton used this SG with the legendary band "Cream" and he used "The Fool" on rock standards like, "Sunshine of your Love", "Strange Brew", "White Room", and "I Feel Free"

After Cream split up, Eric Clapton gave, "The Fool" to George Harrison of Beatles superstartum. Then from there, Harrison gave the guitar to Jackie Lomax and then she sold the guitar to Todd Rundgren for 500 dollars. Rundgren primarily played, "The Fool" on stage in the 70s with his band, "Utopia". Some of the iconic performances include the iconic performance of, "Can We Still Be Friends" in 1982. Rundgren would have "The Fool" in his possession from 1972 to 2000, where he sold it at auction. But at this auction, it sold for 3 million dollars.

Kurt Cobain's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Mustang

Kurt Cobain was one of the most prolific songwriters in rock and roll history with his work with Nirvana and basically creating the Grunge genre and movement in the early 90s. This 1969 Fender Competition Mustang was acquired by Cobain shortly before filming of the now iconic, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video was recorded. Although it wasn't used on Nirvana's classic sophomore album "Nevermind", he did use it on tour and used it on some of the "In Utero" sessions. This guitar was sold for 6.9 million dollars at auction.

Jerry Garcia's "Tiger" Custom Guitar

Jerry Garcia of Grateful Dead fame had his famous "Tiger" guitar built for him by luthier Doug Irwin back in 1973 and it was finally finished in 1979. Irwin also made Garcia's "Wolf" and "Rosebud" guitars. But it was "Tiger" that became his main instrument from 1979-1989. He used that guitar on massive stoner classics, "Althea" which was the debut of "Tiger", "Friend of the Devil", "Shakedown Street", "Playing in the Band", and it was the last guitar that Jerry Garcia ever played live and the song that he played was "Box of Rain". It sold for 11.56 million dollars and is one of the most expensive guitars ever sold at auction.

David Gilmour's "The Black Strat" Stratocaster

This iconic guitar was owned by Pink Floyd's legendary guitarist David Gilmour which he used to write and record massive hits like "Comfortably Numb", "Echoes" at Pompeii on the "Live at Pompeii" live album, "Money", and "Shine on You Crazy Diamond". It was bought by Jim Irsay back in 2019 for a then record 3.975 million dollars. But that record was broken this year for a mind-boggling 14.55 million dollars to an unknown buyer. This heavily modified 1969 body and 1983 neck Fender Stratocaster now holds the record for the most expensive guitar ever sold, beating out Kurt Cobain's acoustic guitar he played on the famous, "MTV: Unplugged" session.