Craig Jackson Highest Bidder at Abbey Road Studios for First Guitar Sir Paul McCartney Ever Played

--Barrett-Jackson Auction Co.

   
    WHO:        President and CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co., 
                LLC, Craig Jackson

    WHAT:       Highest bidder and auction winner of exceptionally 
                rare guitar that music legend Sir Paul McCartney 
                learned to play on, a REX acoustic circa 1950s.
                Sale 2161 Lot 239; www.cooperowen.com

    WHERE:      Cooper Owen Music Legends Auction
                Abbey Road Studios, London NW8

    WHEN:       Friday, July 28
                4 p.m. EST

    INTERVIEWS: To interview Craig Jackson contact Jennifer Ziegler or
                Alison Collins, 480-998-3154

Craig Jackson, the industry leader in collector car auctions, is not just a car aficionado, but a rock 'n' roll fan as well. Jackson has been a collector of muscle and sports cars for the past 20 years and owns some of the rarest ones ever made. Jackson offered up the highest bid today and is the proud new owner of the first guitar Sir Paul McCartney learned to play on. Owned by Ian James, a Liverpool Institute grammar school friend of Sir Paul's, the guitar fetched GBP 329,350 ($613,974 USD) including all fees at the Cooper Owen Music Legends Auction at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London.

"Baby boomers are living out the soundtracks of their lives, not only in the cars reminiscent of their youth that they purchase at our auctions, but with the memorabilia that represents the music that rocked the airwaves in the '60s and '70s," said Jackson. "I'm proud to be a part of this generation and to own such an important piece of rock memorabilia."

Jackson is attributed with being a visionary in the automotive sector because of his prediction of the future demand and worth of muscle cars. Jackson also has a large interest in rock 'n' roll memorabilia and has developed a personal relationship with John Collins, managing director of Cooper Owen, a fellow car enthusiast and esteemed car collector. Their shared passion of fine collectibles and the auction industry has made for a strong friendship.

"I trust Cooper Owen because it offers the most authentic rock memorabilia in the world," added Jackson. "They have earned buyers' confidence through professionalism, expertise and due diligence, something Barrett-Jackson has accomplished as well in the collector car industry.

About Barrett-Jackson

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the "World's Greatest Collector Car Events(TM)" in Scottsdale and Palm Beach, Fla. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call 480-421-6694.