One of David Bowie’s most treasured instruments has gone on display at the award-winning Beatles Story exhibition.

Bowie’s Hagström twelve-string guitar can be seen at The Beatle Story’s Albert Dock site after going on display last Monday (11th July).

The unique sounding guitar followed Bowie throughout his illustrious career, featuring on many classic albums such as Space Oddity and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust.

Space Oddity, the song that is most credited with launching his career, was released as a single to the UK 47 years ago today.

At the time of its release, it scored Bowie his first ever top 5 single as well as the Ivor Novello award in 1969.  The song would go to score him a UK number 1 on its re-release in 1975.

Bowie’s iconic guitar will be located next to the last piano John Lennon ever played.  The pair, who became close friends following John’s departure from The Beatles, wrote ‘Fame’ together.

This successful partnership led to Bowie’s first ever number 1 single in the U.S. and received critical acclaim worldwide.

David Bowie also features within the exhibition’s exclusive photo gallery “John Lennon: The New York Years”.  The never seen before collection of pictures taken by John Lennon’s personal photographer, Bob Gruen, were unveiled last year as part of the attraction’s celebrations for John Lennon’s 75th birthday.

Martin King, of The Beatles Story, said:

“It is an incredible honour to have this poignant item on display here at The Beatles Story. We are so fortunate to have two pieces of such musical significance placed side by side in the exhibition.

“We hope this will give fans and members of the public alike an opportunity to reflect and remember another one of music’s greats who left us too soon.”

The guitar has never been seen before on public display and will remain at The Beatles Story for the next three years.