Muhammad Ali's belt and Kurt Cobain's guitar are up for auction in New York.

In March, Christie's will auction off priceless items from the collection of the late billionaire Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts. Among the lots are musical instruments of legendary performers and rare sports artifacts. The auction promises to be one of the largest in the history of rock 'n' roll and sports, reports New York Post.

Musical treasures

The Irsay Collection includes unique musical artifacts. Among them are Ringo Starr's drum from The Beatles' first appearance on American television and Kurt Cobain's guitar from the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video. Also on sale are guitars belonging to David Gilmour, Jerry Garcia, and John Lennon, as well as handwritten song lyrics, including "Hey Jude," and documents related to The Beatles' breakup in 1970.

Some musical lots are valued in the millions of dollars. For example, Starr's drum set is expected to sell for $1,000,000–$2,000,000. Cobain's guitar is expected to sell for $2,000,000–$5,000,000. For less affluent collectors, lots like Joe Walsh's slide guitar will be available with a minimum bid of $100.

Sports memorabilia

The collection includes numerous items from the world of sports, including Wayne Gretzky's 1986–1987 hockey jersey, Secretariat's 1973 Triple Crown winning saddle, and autographs from Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

Muhammad Ali's WBC heavyweight championship belt from his famous 1974 Rumble in the Jungle victory is also up for auction. Its value could reach $4,000,000.

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Prior to the auction, the collection will embark on a world tour in early 2026, with stops in London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. A public exhibition in New York will run from March 6 to 12 at the galleries at 20 Rockefeller Plaza.

Irsay's personal relationship with the collection

Jim Irsay collected these items not as an investment, but out of a love of history, music, and sports. He declined an offer to buy the entire collection for $1.15 billion, calling it "priceless." After his death, his daughters decided to sell some of the collection. They donated a portion of the proceeds to charity.

"Every object tells a story, and Dad was always happy to share those stories with the world," the Irsay family noted.