Sir Elton John putting piano, jumpsuit and platform boots up for auction
The musician, 76, is curating the sale of objects from his former Atlanta home with his husband David Furnish.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir Elton John’s piano, jumpsuit and platform boots are among items being put up for auction.
The musician, 76, is curating the sale of objects from his former Atlanta home with his husband David Furnish and in partnership with auction house Christie’s.
The Collection of Sir Elton John: Goodbye Peachtree Road, which is being sold in Rockefeller Centre, New York, includes high-value items such as a painting by British artist Damien Hirst of Sir Elton and Furnish.
The work, titled Your Song, in reference to the megastar’s hit track and signed and inscribed “xxx for Elton + David”, has an estimated value of 350,000 to 450,000 US dollars (£280,000 to £360,000).
A portrait of Sir Elton by American painter and Oscar-nominated director Julian Schnabel is also estimated to be worth 200,000 to 300,000 US dollars (£160,000 to £240,000).
The Yamaha grand piano, model C6F PE, has been put on for 30,000 to 50,000 US dollars (£24,000 to 39,000), while the 1971 pair of silver leather tall platform boots with red leather letters ‘E’ and ‘J’ on both sides could fetch between 5,000 and 10,000 US dollars (£4,000 to £8,000).
The jumpsuit, an ivory-and-gold ensemble, was among the first stage clothes made for Sir Elton and was designed by Annie Reavey.
It was loaned to make costumes for the Rocketman film, starring Taron Egerton, and was being sold with an estimate of between 8,000 to 12,000 US dollars (£6,500 to £9,700).
Tash Perrin, deputy chairman of Christie’s Americas, said: “This extraordinary collection not only showcases a diverse array of remarkable objects that encapsulate Elton’s unique life, work, and art but also provides our clients with a glimpse into the profound impact that the city of Atlanta had on him.
“In the two weeks leading up to the sales, Christie’s Rockefeller Centre Galleries will transform into a series of specially designed immersive spaces, offering a dynamic view into the world of Elton John.
“We take immense pride in presenting this multi-category sale, featuring a refined assortment of photographs, artworks, fashion, and costumes — a testament to a man’s eclectic vision, artistry, and impeccable taste.”
The auction is also offering an 18-carat-gold limited-edition Cartier watch, a necklace with diamond letters that say “the bitch is back” and silk Versace shirts.
Sir Elton also had a Vogue cover by American photographer Irving Penn of fashion model Jean Patchett that could fetch between 100,000 to 150,000 US dollars (£79,000 to £120,000).
The musician ended his touring career last year, after spending over 50 years performing at venues throughout the world, when he delivered his last gig in the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Stockholm, Sweden, in July.
An exhibition of the collection is open to the public from February 9 to February 21 from 11am to 5pm at Christie’s 20 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.
The opening night of sales begins on February 21.