10 of the most valuable pieces of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia

Jimi Hendrix is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

He left a lasting impact on music with his innovative playing style, which combined elements of blues, rock, and psychedelia.

Hendrix tragically passed away at the young age of 27, but his music and legacy live on.

As a result, there is a high demand for Jimi Hendrix memorabilia, and many items have fetched high prices at auction.

In this blog post, we will take a look at the 10 most valuable pieces of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia to sell at auction.

1. Woodstock Guitar:

The guitar Hendrix played at the legendary Woodstock Festival in 1969 is perhaps the most iconic piece of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia. The guitar is a 1968 Fender Stratocaster, and it sold for $2 million at auction in 2019.

2. Monterey Pop Festival Guitar:

Hendrix's performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 is considered one of his most memorable, and the guitar he played during that performance is also highly sought after. The guitar is a 1967 Fender Stratocaster, and it sold for $1.3 million at auction in 1990.

3. "Are You Experienced?" Test Pressing:

Hendrix's debut album, "Are You Experienced?" is considered a classic of psychedelic rock. A test pressing of the album, which was used to check the sound quality before the official release, sold for $12,500 at auction in 2018.

4. Electric Ladyland Gold Record Award:

"Electric Ladyland" is Hendrix's third and final studio album, and it is considered a masterpiece of psychedelic rock. A gold record award for the album, which was presented to Hendrix himself, sold for $20,000 at auction in 2020.

5. Woodstock Stage Clothing:

In addition to his guitar, Hendrix's clothing from his Woodstock performance is also highly prized. A fringed leather vest and pants that he wore on stage sold for $300,000 at auction in 2019.

6. Hendrix's Passport:

Hendrix's passport is a rare piece of memorabilia that provides insight into his international travels. His passport, which features stamps from countries such as Sweden, Germany, and Japan, sold for $206,000 at auction in 2019.

7. Handwritten Lyrics:

Hendrix was known for his poetic lyrics, and handwritten drafts of his lyrics are highly prized by collectors. A set of handwritten lyrics for the song "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" sold for $81,250 at auction in 2012.

8. Monterey Pop Festival Program:

The program from the Monterey Pop Festival, which featured Hendrix's iconic performance, is a rare piece of memorabilia. A copy of the program sold for $5,000 at auction in 2019.

9. "Purple Haze" Acetate:

Acetates are test pressings of vinyl records, and they are highly prized by collectors. A test pressing of Hendrix's hit song "Purple Haze" sold for $7,500 at auction in 2018.

10. Live Concert Poster:

Posters advertising Hendrix's concerts are highly collectible, especially those from his early years. A concert poster from a 1967 show at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles sold for $3,500 at auction in 2018.

In conclusion, Jimi Hendrix memorabilia is highly sought after by collectors and fans alike.

The items listed above are just a few examples of the valuable pieces that have sold at auction.

As the years go on, it is likely that the demand for Hendrix memorabilia will only continue to increase.

About your Author:

Adrian Roose has over 30 years’ experience covering all aspects of the rare stamp & memorabilia industry during which he has sold over £50m of unique items, helping build collections for Royalty, household name celebrities and 1,000s of collectors around the world.

Adrian was previously a Director at Stanley Gibbons, a Board Member of Stampex, and Executive Director of Paul Fraser Collectibles, PFC Auctions and JustCollecting, prior to founding The Memorabilia Club.