Kurt Cobain’s ‘MTV Unplugged’ Guitar Auction

There’s no denying the fact that Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged set in 1993 is one of the most incredible performances that has ever happened. Everything associated with that historic concert is worth a fortune these days. Kurt Cobain’s Cardigan set records when it sold for $334,000, but even the record-holding sweater is no match for the 1959 Martin D-18E acoustic-electric guitar going to auction next month. Almost five months before his death, Kurt Cobain used this very guitar to paint what Rolling Stone called “his last self-portrait” during the MTV Unplugged performance that would go on to become one of the top ten live albums of all time. In addition to the guitar itself, you’ll get the original hard-shell case complete with Poison Idea’s flyer and Alaska Airlines sticker decorations, baggage claim ticket stubs, half-used pack of strings, guitar picks and Cobain’s “stash” bag. All this history comes at a price because the guitar is currently valued at $1,000,000. Given the original estimate of $20k on the sweater, we expect the guitar to go for much more than a cool million. The “Music Icons” auction that the guitar is part of will take place online June 19th and 20th. Prior to the auction, the guitar will be on display at the Hard Rock in London (5/15 – 5/31) and the Julien’s Auctions house in Beverly Hills (6/15 – 6/19).