Elton John is set to auction a significant portion of his collection, comprising over 900 items from his previous Atlanta penthouse, through a series of auctions at Christie's starting February 21. This event is anticipated to generate around $10 million. The collection includes a range of unique and valuable pieces, such as John's Yamaha conservatory grand piano, valued at $50,000, which he used for composing the hit Broadway shows "Billy Elliot" and "Aida." Also featured is a portrait of John by Julian Schnabel, estimated at $300,000, and a notable 2017 Banksy triptych, showcasing a masked man throwing a bouquet of flowers, with an expected price of $1.5 million.
The auction also includes some of John's iconic personal items like his signature sunglasses, silver platform boots with initials, and a distinctive 1970s ivory and gold costume designed by textile artist Annie Reavey. These items provide a glimpse into John's personal style and public persona.
John's interest in collecting art and memorabilia became prominent during his time in Georgia, where he accumulated works from renowned artists such as Dorothea Lange, André Kertész, Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, and Robert Mapplethorpe. His passion for photography was particularly influenced by Jane Jackson, a local gallerist who later became the director of the Sir Elton John Photography Collection in 2003. A part of this photography collection was showcased in the "The Radical Eye" exhibition at Tate Modern in 2016–17.
Additionally, works from John's collection were featured in the 2000 exhibition "Chorus of Light" at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. This exhibition included pieces by Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, and Andres Serrano, many of which will now be available for auction.
Selena Mattei
