Ringo Starr's Beatles drum kit set to raise third of a million pounds

Not seen in public for more than 50 years, Ringo's three piece kit was used in more than 200 performances and was used on classic songs "From me to you", "All my loving" and "Please Mr Postman".

The 1963 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl Downbeat drum kit, which comes with an eye watering estimate of £198,000 to £331,000, was the first ever owned by Ringo and featured on 180 studio recordings.

As well as being one of the most recognisable of Beatles memorabilia, the drum kit was the first to feature the newly designed "drop T" logo, which was put on by sign painter Eddie Stokes for an extra £5. But the drum kit has not been seen in public since their now legendary appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Since it was retired from use, Paul McCartney has also used the kit when he recorded his first solo album and has now been restored with historically correct hardware. The auction, which will be held in Los Angeles at Julien's Auctions today (thurs), comprises a total of over 800 items from the collection of Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach with the proceeds benefitting the Lotus Foundation.

By: Robert Kellaway

Source: The Express

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