Kurt Cobain’s guitar from the Nirvana singer’s legendary MTV Unplugged performance in 1993 has smashed estimates of $1 million to sell for more than $6 million at auction.
The $6,010,000 (or around £4.85 million) price tag of the guitar – a 1959 Martin D-18E – also earns it the title of the most expensive guitar ever sold.
A total of seven bids were made at Julien’s Auctions, where it was auctioned June 19, with a winning bid from Peter Freedman, founder of RØDE Microphones.
Along with the guitar came its original hard case, decorated by Cobain, including Poison Idea’s album Feel the Darkness, three baggage claim ticket stubs, and an Alaska Airlines sticker. It also contained Cobain’s half-used pack of guitar strings, three guitar picks, and a suede “stash” bag.
Last year, Julien’s Auctions additionally sold Cobain’s iconic green mohair cardigan from the show (which also went for a record price).
Also included in the auction June 19 and 20 was other Nirvana memorabilia, such as the setlist from the MTV Unplugged performance, a smashed-up Fender Stratocaster from the band’s 1994 In Utero tour, and the t-shirt Cobain wore in the video for “Heart-Shaped Box”.
