Fans of Sir Elton John’s flamboyant style will next week have the chance to splash out on his snappiest Versace looks in a huge 900-plus lot auction that includes the contents of the Rocket Man’s $7.2m (£5.7m) Atlanta apartment.
Christie’s auction house in New York’s Rockefeller Center has been transformed into a John emporium for two live – and six online – sales of the singer’s collection, including several pairs of his trademark thick rim spectacles and a vast art collection that features a Love, Lust and Devotion section dedicated to his treasure trove of male art.
John sold his skyscraper condo in Atlanta for $7m in November – 45% more than its asking price. It was bought by the star more than 30 years ago for just under $1m and the singer and his husband, David Furnish, expanded the duplex into a four-bedroom, seven-bathroom residence by acquiring five neighbouring units.
The auctions kick off on Wednesday night, and proceeds from the couple’s house clearance, combined with sales of other items, are expected to exceed $10m.
A Banksy original Flower Thrower Triptych, which shows a man seemingly about to throw something in an act of violence but actually throwing a bouquet, is expected to be the single most expensive item on offer, with an estimate of $1m to $1.5m.
- Also on the block are a pair of silver leather platform boots, with the letters E and J picked out in red, that John wore on tour ($5,000 to $10,000); a heart-shaped artwork by Damien Hirst called Your Song that features a picture of John and Furnish with the inscription: “xxx or Elton + David love Damien Thank You” ($350,000-450,000); and a Yamaha Conservatory grand piano, on which John practised hits for the musicals Aida and Billy Elliot ($30,000-50,000).