The RR Auction closes on June 19th
RR Auction is proud to present its springtime Marvels of Modern Music sale, offering over 400 remarkable pieces of popular music history—from important autographs to stage-played instruments and personal awards. The auction brings together an all-star lineup of icons, including Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Prince, and Eric Clapton, alongside legendary names like The Beatles, Queen, Janis Joplin, The Who, and the Rolling Stones.
Among the auction’s top highlights are Paul McCartney’s moving tribute to John Lennon; Beatles-signed A Hard Day’s Night album; Circa 1988–1990 Prince master tape of “U” featuring his vocals; Eric Clapton’s 1928 Gibson L-3; The Doors signed photo set — A Teen Fan’s Backstage Night with Morrison; and others.
A deeply personal and poetic letter in McCartney’s hand, penned on his custom “Paul McCartney US” letterhead around 2005, offers a rare and heartfelt reflection on his former Beatles bandmate. Signed “love, Paul,” the letter was written to Q magazine and discovered within the archives of Bauer Media following the publication’s closure.
“He was, and still is, the heroic figure whose wit and wisdom, with a little help from his friends, shaped the thoughts and lives of millions,” McCartney writes.
This is perhaps the only known letter in which McCartney directly describes his feelings about Lennon—a rare and heartfelt tribute from one legend to another.
An extraordinary copy of A Hard Day’s Night, signed by all four Beatles shortly after the album’s release. Inscribed: “To the Johnson Sisters with love, from the Beatles.”
Authenticated by Beatles expert Frank Caiazzo and dating to the summer of 1964, this rare fully signed example is accompanied by provenance from a journalist who obtained the autographs during the film’s London premiere festivities—an event that brought out the British Royal Family, the Rolling Stones, and thousands of fans who shut down Piccadilly Circus.
A remarkable circa 1988–1990 master cassette tape featuring the Prince song “U,” which clocks in at approximately 4 minutes and 33 seconds. The tape bears a B-side label marked in black ballpoint, “‘U,’ Master,” and features Prince on vocals—a version never officially released.
Originally written as “You” for his 1979 project with The Rebels, Warner Bros. shelved the track and later reimagined it at Paisley Park in the late 1980s. The song nearly resurfaced in early drafts of “Graffiti Bridge,” intended for Prince’s Camille persona. He ultimately sent the reworked dance-pop version to Paula Abdul, who added vocals in Los Angeles in 1990; it appeared as the sixth track on her 1991 hit album, Spellbound.
From the collection of Marylou Badeaux, a former Warner Bros. Records executive, who received the tape directly from Prince. This copy—featuring his rare vocal take—represents a pivotal creative moment and subtle act of defiance in Prince’s evolving relationship with his label.
Clapton’s 1928 Gibson L-3 concert-size guitar hails from the personal collection of the guitar legend. With a rich sunburst finish and remarkable provenance—including a handwritten label by Clapton’s longtime guitar tech, Lee Dickson—the instrument showcases Clapton’s reverence for vintage blues craftsmanship and his deep ties to the genre’s Mississippi roots.
Originally sold by Christie’s in 1999 to benefit Clapton’s Crossroads Centre.
Original handwritten lyric sheets for Pink Floyd’s 1967 single “Apples and Oranges,” penned by founding member Syd Barrett. From the collection of manager Peter Jenner, the pages reflect Barrett’s quirky, psychedelic vision at the peak of his brief but brilliant run with the band.
A wild night in Toronto, 1968: a 14-year-old fan wins a local radio contest and finds himself backstage with The Doors at the CNE Coliseum. This remarkable lot includes 12 candid backstage and concert photographs—taken during that unforgettable encounter—and is accompanied by a full set of signatures from Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore. A vivid snapshot of The Doors at their peak, seen through the eyes of a teenage fan.
Among the most personal artifacts in the sale: a significant 1975 Martin D-41 acoustic guitar with a rare sunburst finish, purchased by Bob Dylan and gifted to his close friend and collaborator Bob Neuwirth. Neuwirth used the guitar extensively during the landmark Rolling Thunder Revue, and it can be seen in concert footage, photographs, and Martin Scorsese’s 2019 documentary Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story.
“We’ll use it on the Rolling Thunder Tour,” Dylan reportedly told Neuwirth as he handed him the guitar at Manny’s Music in New York.
More than a stage-played instrument, this guitar stands as a symbol of artistic camaraderie during one of the most daring and theatrical chapters of Dylan’s career.
Standout signatures round out the sale from a who’s who of rock and soul, including Queen, The Who, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones. Collectors will also find signed photographs, concert posters, handwritten notes, personal effects, and awards tracing the evolution of modern music from the 1950s through the 1990s.
The Marvels of Modern Music auction from RR Auction is open for bidding and will conclude on June 19th.
