The Ludwig Oyster Pearl drum kit Ringo Starr played on the Beatles' first album, Please Please Me, has sold for $2.2m at Julien's Auctions.

The lot led a dedicated sale of memorabilia from Ringo Starr's personal collection on December 4, smashing an estimate of $500,000 by 350%.

The kit also featured on Paul McCartney's first solo album

It made only slight less than the record $2.4m paid for John Lennon's guitar at Julien's in November.

The buyer on both occasions was Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay - an avid collector of Beatles memorabilia who owns a number of Beatles instruments.

He explained the significance of his collection in an interview with Rolling Stone.

"I was 11 years old when the Beatles broke up," said Irsay.

"I was a Lennon fanatic - I mean, I loved Paul too, but Lennon was the guy - and there was always this dream of the Beatles getting back together; there was always this hope.

"It took over 4 million dollars and 45 years, but we finally got them back together. I know it's a symbolic thing, but it really means a lot to me."

Other lots included Starr's personal copy of the White Album, featuring the serial number 000001.

Starr has kept the record in a bank vault since he received it.

It beat its $60,000 estimate by a phenomenal 1,216% to make $790,000 - making it the most valuable record ever sold at auction.

The previous record was set at $300,000 earlier this year for Elvis Presley's first acetate recording.

We have this Beatles photo signed by Ringo Starr for sale.

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