George Harrison's early electric guitar, the Futurama, is stirring up excitement as it heads to auction and is likely to fetch more than $1 million. This instrument holds not just musical significance, but also a rich history tied to the formation of The Beatles, and its sales potential is drawing avid collectors and music fans alike.
Originally purchased for just £58 — about $73 today — by the young Harrison from Frank Hessy's music store in Liverpool, the guitar was acquired through a hire purchase agreement. Harrison's mother, Louise, had to co-sign to help George secure the deal, which involved payments he made over several weeks. Kevin Kelly, the store's owner, remembers the moment well, noting Harrison's youthful enthusiasm at the time.
It was 1959, and this was no ordinary guitar. Inspired by the beloved Fender Stratocaster models played by icons like Buddy Holly, Harrison's choice was dictated by circumstance: the quality instruments he sought were unavailable due to trade restrictions. Instead, he found himself with the Resonet Futurama, made by Czech manufacturers, marking the start of his musical evolution.
The Futurama guitar quickly became Harrison's workhorse. It was with him through the band's grueling early gigs, including legendary performances at the Cavern Club and during their transformative Hamburg tours between 1960 and 1961. With its sunburst finish and three pickup rocker switches, the guitar might not have been easy to play, but it delivered the sound and style Harrison was after, even if he did call it "a dog" to play. Harrison famously recalled turning up the amp to full, only to get the magic sound by finally flipping the right switch. "There was this almighty boom through the amplifier," he remembered, noting how it literally knocked other guitars off their stands.
Harrison utilized this signature guitar during myriad formative recordings like the Beatles' first single, which connected them with their future manager, Brian Epstein. It even featured prominently on the Polydor albums 'Cry for a Shadow' and 'My Bonnie,' typically associated with legendary German musician Tony Sheridan. While Harrison eventually transitioned to other guitars like the Gretsch Duo Jet, his time with the Futurama was emblematic of his early artistry.
The guitar's history includes generous donations and contests. Following the Beatles' rise to fame, it was offered as the grand prize for fans through Beats Instrumental magazine. Despite its fame, the competition was won by A.J. Thompson, who opted for cash instead, leaving the guitar to be cherished by the magazine’s editor, Sean O'Mahony.
After remaining with O'Mahony for many years, the beloved Futurama was eventually sold privately in 2019. Julien’s Auctions, known for handling some of the world's most prestigious music memorabilia, has prepared to include it as part of their 'Played, Worn, and Torn' sale scheduled for November 20-22, 2024, at The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville.
Martin Nolan, executive director and co-founder of Julien's, is fervent about the guitar’s significance, dubbing it “one of the holy grails of historic Beatles guitars.” He expects the final bid to exceed initial estimates of $600,000 to $800,000, especially with the auction house's recent success with Beatles items, including John Lennon’s Framus guitar fetching over $2 million earlier this year.
If you want to see it for yourself, the guitar will be on display at The Beatles Story museum, Liverpool, before its big reveal at auction. After such storied legacy, anticipation swells around this iconic instrument once gripped by one of rock and roll’s greatest legends. Could it truly bring over $1 million? It seems fans and collectors alike believe it can.
