John Lennon’s long-lost Framus 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar, which was used in the recordings of The Beatles’ Help! album and film, was recently discovered in a British attic after 50 years.

The musical instrument is considered to be the most important Fab Four guitar to ever come to market and is expected to break the world record for the highest-selling Beatles guitar.

To give fans an idea, a John Lennon acoustic guitar sold for a record $2.4 million in 2015.

Fans can view the instrument in London and New York Hard Rock Cafes ahead of it going up for auction, alongside 1000 other rock relics owned by the likes of AC/DC, Michael Jackson and Kurt Cobain.

Darren Julien, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Julien’s Auctions shared: “The discovery of John Lennon’s Help! guitar that was believed to be lost is considered the greatest find of a Beatles guitar since Paul McCartney’s lost 1961 Höfner bass guitar.

“Finding this remarkable instrument is like finding a lost Rembrandt or Picasso, and it still looks and plays like a dream after having been preserved in an attic for more than 50 years. To awaken this sleeping beauty is a sacred honour and is a great moment for Music, Julien’s, Beatles and Auction history.”

John Lennon’ lost Beatles guitar is on display at London’s Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus from April 23-29, before heading to Hard Rock Cafe New York from May 22-28 and then going up for auction May 29-30 here.