The guitar comes with indisputable proof of its authenticity. The Beatles Monthly Book photographer, Leslie Bryce, took a number of black & white and color photos of John Lennon using the Gretsch during the Paperback Writer session of April 14.

There are close-up photos from the session clearly showing the wood grain on the front of the headstock of the instrument. When these images of the wood grain are compared to the wood grain on the headstock of the actual guitar, the two can be seen to match up identically.

Guitars owned and played by John Lennon from the Beatles period are extremely rare in themselves but a Lennon-owned guitar that has the history of a close family connection, unquestionable legal title and a clear-cut picture identification is rare beyond belief.

It is difficult to recall any of John’s guitars with all of these combined attributes being offered for sale previously. Not only is the sale of this Gretsch 6120 a rare chance to acquire a piece of John Lennon’s musical legacy, but in terms of the guitar’s provenance, authenticity, desirability and scarcity, the sale of this iconic instrument represents a prime music-related investment opportunity. The guitar is estimated at ￡400,000 to ￡600,000 ($650,000 - $1 million USD).

The auction contains over 100 lots of Beatles memorabilia, including a copy of the Sgt. Pepper album signed by John, Paul, George and Ringo estimated at ￡100,000 to ￡150,000, various items from the collection of John Lennon’s life-long friend Pete Shotton and the banjo played by Rod Davis in John’s original group, The Quarrymen.

The sale will also include numerous lots of quality rock ‘n roll memorabilia, including signed items from the Rolling Stones and The Who, original Sex Pistols concert and promotional posters and a set of handwritten Kate Bush lyrics to the song Wuthering Heights.