The Rolling Stones' Guitar Lost and Stolen 54 Years Ago on Display at New York Museum

Liputan6.com, Jakarta A guitar belonging to The Rolling Stones that was stolen more than 50 years ago has resurfaced in a collection recently acquired by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The instrument in question is a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst electric guitar, purchased by Keith Richards in 1967 and last used by former Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.

Before it was stolen, the guitar was already part of the band's history, having been played by Richards during The Rolling Stones' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in October 1964, and later by Taylor during the infamous Altamont Free Concert in December 1969.

Other great British guitarists, such as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, are also said to have played the instrument.

The guitar has been missing and unaccounted for since September 1971, after it was reported that the instrument was stolen during a recording session for the album “Exile on Main St.” (1972) at Villa Nellcôte on the Côte d'Azur, France.

The theft occurred in broad daylight, while the residents of Villa Nellcôte were watching TV. Reportedly, the robbery was carried out by drug dealers from Marseille who were said to owe Richards.

The theft ultimately resulted in the loss of nine guitars, a saxophone belonging to Bobby Keys, and a bass belonging to Bill Wyman.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York announced that it had received a "historic gift" of more than 500 guitars from the golden age of American guitar-making, consisting of instruments made between 1920 and 1970.