The Gibson Les Paul was The Edge�s very favourite guitar and had been used on every U2 tour since 1985.

The Edge donated the guitar to the Music Rising charity � which raises money for musicians blighted by Hurricane Katrina.

The Icons of Music sale at the Hard Rock Caf� in New York raised a total of $2.4million for the charity.

Other lots on sale included a Jimi Hendrix Guitar which went for $400,000, a pair of John Lennon sunglasses ($30,000), a guitar signed by Bono ($180,000) and Bill Clinton�s signed saxophone ($54,000).