AceShowbiz -

The drum kit used by Ringo Starr to record some of The Beatles' early hits has gone under the hammer over the weekend. The rare music instrument was purchased for $2.2 million by Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay at Julien's Auction.

The Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl three-piece drum kit was used by Starr on recordings of songs like "Can't Buy Me Love", "She Loves You", and "I Want to Hold Your Hand". It was also played by the drummer for the band's performances in 1963 and 1964.

An avid collector of The Beatles memorabilia, the owner of a National Football League team additionally purchased a Rickenbacker guitar given to Starr by the late John Lennon. He bought it for $910,000 at the auction.

"I was 11 years old when the Beatles broke up. 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," Irsay told Rolling Stone.

So he started collecting the band's items. "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," he explained.

Also being sold at the auction was the first mono pressing of The Beatles' "White Album" in the United Kingdom. It fetched $790,000. In three days, they sold nearly $10 million in music memorabilia. Some of the proceeds will benefit The Lotus Foundation co-founded by Starr.

Thank You For Following Our #RingoStarr #Auction. In 3 Days We Sold $9.2 Million Dollars In Memorabilia! #TheBeatles pic.twitter.com/IUGomOJRT2

— Juliens Auctions (@JuliensAuctions) December 6, 2015