Ringo Starr's 'White Album' Sold For A World Record Of $790,000; Auction Netted $9.2 Million!
Drummer Ringo Starr sold his personal copy of "The Beatles'" 1968 "White Album" for a world record of $790,000 at Julien's Live Auction this weekend, according to CNN.
Each copy of the band's ninth studio album came with a serial number stamped on it, and Starr's copy has been numbered 0000001, revealed the Independent.
"We used to play the vinyl in those days," Starr previously told Rolling Stone of his copy of the band's classic LP. "We didn't think, 'We'll keep it for 50 years and it will be in pristine condition.' Whoever gets it, it will have my fingerprints on it."
"Beatles" memorabilia has been known to make huge sums of money but Ringgo Starr's and his wife, actress Barbara Bach's latest auction of personal items has made a record amount.
Starr and his wife have collected over 1,300 items from their homes in Monaco, Beverly Hills and London for Julien's Live Auction.
Starr's Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl drum kit, which the drummer used on hits such as "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "She Loves You" and "Can't Buy Me Love," was also sold in the auction house for $2.1 million.
The three-piece kit was used in over 200 performances since Starr first purchased the instrument, which was in May 12, 1962. The pubic has not seen the drum set in over 50 years.
"Look at the size of it!" Starr said before the auction, sitting on the zebra striped set. "I wanted it to be small so it would make me look big," he joked.
The buyer of the drum set, is Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay who was identified by Rolling Stone magazine.
Irsay said that he always dreamed of the band getting back together. With his new purchases, in his collection, he at least has an instrument from each of the Beatles.
"It took over $4 million and 45 years, but we finally got them back together," said Irsay in an interview. "I know it's a symbolic thing, but it really means a lot to me."
The rock memorabilia enthusiast previously purchased John Lennon's 1966 "Paperback Writer" Gretsch guitar, Bob Dylan's 1965 Newport Folk Festival guitar and Les Paul's "Black Beauty."
Other Starr instruments sold includes, a Hoffner base for $22,000, a Rickenbacker guitar given to the drummer as a gift by Lennon, which Irsay also purchased for $910,000 and a drum kit from the "Hello Goodbye" video for $112,000.
Ringgo Starr's 18-karat yellow gold, 1971 "Moonphase" Patek Philippe wristwatch generated a lot of interest on the auction block due to its rarity. It was one of only 586 made and sold for $179,000, double its $80,000 estimate.
Starr and Bach in all, netted $9.2 million, reported BBC.
Part of the proceeds will go to The Lotus Foundation, which was started by the former "Beatles" drummer and Barbara.
