John Lennon’s Lost Framus Guitar Resurfaced
A 12-string guitar used on Help! and Rubber Soul emerged in a British attic after 50 years.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Folk
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A rare Framus 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar once owned by John Lennon has been discovered in a British attic. The instrument, used during the filming of the movie Help! and recordings for Rubber Soul, had been missing for over 50 years.
Why it matters
The recovery of this instrument provides a significant piece of music history, as experts have authenticated the guitar by comparing its woodgrain and pickguard to historical photographs. It is now expected to rank among the most expensive guitars ever sold at auction.
Julien's Auctions estimates the guitar is worth between £485,000 and £647,000, while a previous Lennon Gibson J160E sold for $2.4 million in 2015.
The players
John Lennon
He was a founding member of The Beatles and a globally influential musician and songwriter.
Gordon Waller
He was a British singer best known as one half of the musical duo Peter and Gordon.
Julien's Auctions
This is a specialized auction house known for managing high-profile sales of entertainment memorabilia.
The details
The guitar was originally gifted by John Lennon to musician Gordon Waller, who later passed it to a road manager. The current owner discovered the instrument while moving house, after it had spent half a century hidden away.
Timeline
The guitar remained missing from public view for over 50 years.
A previous record-holding Lennon guitar sold for $2.4 million in 2015.
Industry Dynamics
This discovery marks a new benchmark for rare Beatles memorabilia, following the precedent established by the record-breaking 2015 sale of John Lennon's Gibson J160E. The high valuation highlights the ongoing market demand for items with deep historical provenance in the music world.
Collectors and fans will be able to engage with the instrument at the upcoming Music Icons auction held at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. The sale offers a rare opportunity to view or potentially acquire a piece of music history that has been absent from the public eye.
The takeaway
The discovery of such a significant instrument underscores the enduring value of music artifacts that possess verifiable historical links to legendary artists. Investors and historians alike are reminded that even common household spaces can still house priceless cultural treasures.
Further reading
For more on the history of acoustic instruments, explore the Folk section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
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