Sgt Pepper cover drum and Lennon lyrics to go under hammer

Jun 17 2008

ROCK memorabilia, including a drum belonging to The Beatles and an amp owned by Jimi Hendrix, are set to go under the hammer, Christie’s said yesterday.

Sales are expected to top the £1m mark at the London auction on July 10, the auction house said.

The bass drumskin, used on the front cover of The Beatles’ 1967 album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, is among items expected to attract fierce bidding.

A Christie’s spokeswoman said the drum was expected to sell for between £100,000 and £150,000. The handwritten lyrics of John Lennon’s Give Peace a Chance are also up for grabs, with an estimate of £200,000- £300,000.

A 1966 Marshall amplifier used by Hendrix in concert between 1967 and 1969 will also be up for sale, as will a pair of the flamboyant musician’s stripy, flared trousers.

Other memorabilia from the world of pop in the sale includes a rare poster from punks The Sex Pistols and a 1974 Rickenbacker 330 guitar belonging to the "modfather", Paul Weller.