“Playing for you has been my reason for living.
(…) You are in my head, my heart and my soul,” declared Elton John in Stockholm in July during his final concert.
A farewell to his fans shortly followed by the sale of his penthouse located on Peachtree Road in Atlanta.
In an auction that sounds like a final farewell to his refuge, Sir Elton has instructed Christie's to part with hundreds of art objects, photographs and clothing that he treasured in his home.
An unprecedented sale
Called Goodbye Peachtree Road, this auction is taking place at Christie's in New York and online.
It began on Wednesday February 21 evening and will end on February 28.
The 924 lots consist of stage costumes, jewelry, and other clothing from his colossal wardrobe, as well as an impressive collection of signed photographs (Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Helmut Newton, Robert Mapplethorpe, etc.) , a work by Damien Hirst or even a piano on which the maestro composed several of his successes.
The exceptional collection on sale reflects the star's touching extravagance.
It offers an intimate insight into his life and demonstrates his eclectic vision of art.
Lot 9, Rolex Leopard Daytona watch Photo Press / Christie's
Extravagant timepieces
Between all these objects from a villa that no longer exists, there are watches, pieces each crazier than the last from the greatest watchmaking houses.
Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Chopard, Hublot, Chopard… the list is long, witness to Elton John's appetite for excess.
Note an exuberant Rolex Daytona in yellow gold entirely set with diamonds and orange sapphires, with a leopard dial and bracelet (sold at 176,400 dollars, evening approximately 163,000 euros), or even the number of Cartiers which appear in the catalogue: a very rare Crash asymmetrical 1991 signed Cartier Paris (sold at 277,200 dollars, or 255,000 euros), a single pusher Tortue in white gold and diamonds, a square Santos in solid gold, a Tonneau in platinum, a Pasha in yellow gold and diamonds with an enamel dial to name just a few of the watchmaking marvels that belonged to the Rocket Man.
The fully set Piaget Tanagara and the white gold Chopard chronograph whose case seems to be devoured by two fully set skulls are particularly worth a look.
Mostly unique pieces.
Glamor and exuberance against the backdrop of a pop soundtrack, like an era and a piece of the legend's life which are being dispersed today under the hammer blows of New York.
Goodbye Peachtree Road!
Lot 12 Crash de Cartier Watch Press Photo / Christie's