The Who are proving popular among collectors, as Pete Townshend's Gibson SG guitar and a set of Keith Moon's drums topped Leland's Spring Auction on July 25.
 Townshend's guitar-smashing antics left very few for collectors |
The online sale featured a host of rock memorabilia, with the guitar topping the selection at $47,391.
The drums, including a stool used by Moon, sold for $8,843.
The guitar dates to the Who's prime touring years in the 1970s, and was used on stage for at least one of the band's electric live performances. It was then gifted to Cleveland DJ David Spero, who was a close personal friend of Townshend's friend and fellow musician Joe Walsh.
Guitars from the band's early era are especially rare, as Townshend destroyed many of them during the famous instrument-smashing close of the Who's shows.
The drums were originally believed to have been from the Quadrophenia period, but were instead revealed to have been used in the recording of Who Are You, the last album Moon recorded with the Who before his death.
They feature in a film of the band's 1974 Quadrophenia tour and were consigned by the band's manager, Bill Harrison.
Memorabilia from the Who is selling well at the moment, with another of Townshend's signature Gibson SG guitars - complete with a letter of authenticity from the guitarist - recently making $63,500.
That price represents a 2.4% per annum growth from its last sale in 2008.
Paul Fraser Collectibles is offering a fantastic signed photograph of the Who for sale.
