Farewell – Yellow Brick Road was the name of Sir Elton John's three-year farewell tour, which ended in Stockholm in July 2023. It proved to be one of the most successful concert series in history, amassing sales surpassing $800 million. Shortly thereafter, another farewell ensued, as Sir Elton parted ways with his Atlanta, Georgia home, an impressive penthouse located on Peachtree Road. The apartment, owned by the musician since 1992, changed hands for $7.2 million.
Goodbye Peachtree Road is now the title for the auction series where Christie's New York will be selling a range of artworks and personal items from the Atlanta residence of Elton John and his spouse, David Furnish, this month.
The 924 lots will go under the hammer in a total of nine auctions. The Evening Sale kicks off on 21 February is followed by the Day Sale on 22 and 23 February, split in two sessions. Bidding is already underway for the lots in the online auctions, which end on 27 and 28 February.
See also: From Haydn to Hip-Hop: Music for Collectors
Key highlights of the auction include a black concert grand piano, instrumental in the creation of many Elton John hits, alongside iconic stage outfits spanning his illustrious career as a gifted live performer. Additionally, the auction will showcase exclusive Versace garments and sofas adorned with fabrics from the esteemed Italian fashion house. Furthermore, personal artworks by acclaimed artists such as Julian Schnabel and Damien Hirst will go under the hammer.
See also: The Epic Freddie Mercury Auction Nets £40 Million
Photography will also be a prominent focus, given that Elton John owns several thousand photographs, making his one of the most extensive private photo collections in the world.
See also: The 11 Most Expensive Photographers
The sale showcases the diverse interest with which Elton John collected photographs, featuring a film still by Cindy Sherman alongside Robert Frank's socially poignant photograph Charleston, South Carolina, 1955. The collection predominantly celebrates glamour, celebrity, and eroticism, mainly captured in black and white by renowned photographers such as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Horst P. Horst, Herb Ritts and Robert Mapplethorpe.
The exhibition 'The Collection of Sir Elton John: Goodbye Peachtree Road' is on view at Christie's in Rockefeller Plaza, New York until 21 February.
"It is a distinct privilege for Christie’s to partner with Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish in curating the forthcoming auction: ‘The Collection of Sir Elton John: Goodbye Peachtree Road," said Tash Perrin, Vice Chairman of Christie's Americas. "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. 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."
In total, more than $10 million is expected to be raised from this unique collection.
