Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged guitar could sell for $1m at auction

‘This important guitar has earned its rightful place in rock‘n’roll history’

The guitar Kurt Cobain used during Nirvana’s famous MTV Unplugged New York session is up for auction, with a starting estimate of $1m (£810,000).

The 1959 Martin D-18E guitar comes with the original hard-shell case decorated by Cobain, with a flyer from punk-rock band Poison Idea’s 1990 album Feel the Darkness.

Three baggage claim ticket stubs are attached to the handle. Inside the case are guitar strings, picks and a suede “stash bag”.

The guitar will go on sale at the Music Icons event, which is hosted by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills live and online on June 19 and 20.

Nirvana’s November 1993 Unplugged performance remains one of their most highly regarded. It took place five months before Cobain’s death aged 27.

Darren Julien, president of the auction house, said: “Julien’s Auctions is proud to offer this historic guitar from Kurt Cobain, who upended the music industry and pop culture at large with his mythic performance fronting Nirvana on MTV Unplugged in New York.

“This important guitar has earned its rightful place in rock‘n’roll history as the instrument played by one of rock’s most influential musicians and icons in one of the greatest and most memorable live performances of all time.”

Last year the cardigan that Cobain wore during the Unplugged performance was sold for a record $334,000 (£270,000).

Along with the Unplugged guitar, the Music Icons sale will feature a the silver lamé shirt he wore in the band’s Heart-Shaped Box video and the Fender Strat used by Cobain during the 1994 In Utero tour.