Music Relics in Your Attic That May Be Worth a Lot
If you’ve picked up some random music relics or memorabilia, it’s possible that you’re sitting on a pot of gold. – Author: Anne Erickson, Photo via Gibson/Epiphone of the Epiphone Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V
If at any point in your life, you’ve picked up some random music relics or memorabilia, it’s possible that you’re sitting on a pot of gold. Some of the strangest music relics are actually worth a lot, and it’s all based on rarity, condition and a variety of other factors. So, if you’re looking to get rid of some clutter in your attic or just make some extra dough, look out for a few things that could be worth way more than you initially paid for them.
Music Relics That May Be More Valuable Than You Think
Autographed Anything
If you have anything autographed by a famous person, that could be worth some dough. Sadly, if the person is deceased, it could be worth even more. Autographed anything can be valuable, whether it’s a signature a famous person scribbled on a napkin when you cornered them at the bar of a signed songbook. The most valuable autograph, according to Finances Online, is actually George Washington’s Acts of Congress, which are worth $9.8 million. The other most valuable autographs include Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation at $3.7 million, John Lennon’s “Murderer” signed LP at $525,000, Babe Ruth’s baseball at $388,375 and Jimi Hendrix’s contract at $200,000. If you have an autograph from a famous musicians, do some searching online to see what that person’s autograph is getting on auction site. That way, you can figure out a ballpark figure for what your music relics are worth.
Artwork by Musicians
Did you know that a lot of famous musicians also paint? Some popular musicians who paint include David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, Sir Paul McCartney and Stevie Nicks. If you have anything painted by those famous types, it will be worth a lot, but even paintings from lesser-known musicians could prove profitable. For example, former Butcher Babies member Carla Harvey and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante, who are engaged, both do art, and that art is worth a good amount. So, look around and see if you have any original artwork from random musicians. You may surprise yourself.
Rare Album Covers
Often times, album covers change over time. If you have an original pressing of an album whose album art changed, that original artwork could be worth a lot more than the subsequent copies. Of course, if you actually have the original artwork of a famous album cover, that would be worth event more. The original artwork for “London Calling” by the Clash is worth $119,380, per Biltmore. That album artwork is arguably one of the most legendary of any band, any genre, so that’s why the original is worth so much.
Instruments That Famous Musicians Played
Even if it’s not autographed, if you have an instrument laying around that was once played by a famous musician, that’s a very valuable music relic. For example, Jimi Hendrix’s famed Fender Stratocaster, the guitar he played during his legendary performance at Woodstock in 1969, sold at auction in 1990 for a sky-high $334,000, according to the Memorabilia Club. That guitar was considered one of Hendrix’s favorites to play and is often linked to him in artwork. Note that pictured above is the Epiphone Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V, which features a recreation of the psychedelic graphics that Hendrix hand-painted on his original guitar.
Another instrument that’s worth a lot is Kurt Cobain’s acoustic guitar that he played during Nirvana’s seminal MTV Unplugged” performance just a few months before Cobain sadly passed away. That Martin D-18E guitar sold at auction in 2019 for $6 million, making it “one of the most expensive pieces of music memorabilia ever sold and is a symbol of Cobain’s enduring legacy,” according to Memorability Club.
Music memorabilia and music relics can snag a surprisingly pretty penny, so if you have some sitting around in your attic or basement, you may be surprised with how much for which you can sell them. If you’d like more tips, read Audio Ink Radio’s feature on valuable vinyl albums.
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