NEW YORK: Nearly $100,000 for Elton John’s monogrammed silver boots and approximately $2 million for a triptych by street artist Banksy from his collection: the music icon’s items brought in almost $8 million at auction in New York.
Christie’s is hosting a series of eight sales, both in person and online, until February 28, featuring items from the 76-year-old music icon’s collection. Among the highlights was an ivory and gold glam rock jumpsuit from the early 1970s by Annie Reavey, which sold for $12,600.
Enthusiastic collectors drove prices up, with John’s grand piano going for over $200,000 and a pair of signature sunglasses selling for $22,680, ten times their initial estimate. Most items originate from John’s luxury home in Atlanta, Georgia, where he recently sold after it served as a base for his American tours.
The singer purchased the Atlanta home shortly after becoming sober in 1990, finding solace and support in the local community and recovery facilities, according to Christie’s. The collection, curated alongside his husband David Furnish, includes works by artists like Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Richard Avedon, reflecting their taste in contemporary art.
The auction underscores the trend of top auction houses regularly featuring personal collections of pop culture icons, such as the £40 million ($50.4 million) sale of items belonging to the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury at Sotheby’s last September.
