Photo by Laurel Marcus
The recent EGOT winner Elton John wrapped up his farewell concert tour by selling one of his residences of 30 years. The one he got sober in — an Atlanta luxury abode on Peachtree Road (hardly a pied a terre at 14,000 sq ft mansion in the sky) for $7.5 million — as he no longer felt the need to keep a U.S. base as he plans to live abroad.
Photo by Laurel Marcus
A typical “downsizing” this isn’t – what to do with the contents of this gargantuan apartment? Behind the sale, expected to fetch in the vicinity of $10m+, there is undoubtedly a good deal of eclecticism in all aspects from home décor (furniture, art, photography, sculpture, porcelain china, custom designer luggage and wardrobe touring trunks, a custom, signature-bearing Elton John pinball machine (Elton’s version of “Pinball Wizard” was featured in the 1976 film “Tommy”) which weirdly plays “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer.”
Military costumes – Photo by Laurel Marcus
There is a room on the first floor containing all manner of jewelry (including several custom Rolexes and Cartiers,) clothing is featured in several places (mostly stage wear, costumes, and those platform shoes), and, of course, the piano (Yamaha Conservatory Grand) and a car (Bentley Convertible) both in glossy black hold pride of place of their own.
Photo by Laurel Marcus
What’s miraculous is that Sir Elton ever had time to perform concerts, write songs, and create an AIDS foundation while amassing the sheer volume of collectibles shared by him and husband David Furnish arrayed here at Christie’s for auctions both live and online beginning today.
HERB RITTS (1952–2002), Stephanie, Cindy, Tatjana, Naomi, Hollywood, 1989
Even the cavernous condo couldn’t contain the 7,000-piece photography collection of iconic images ranging from fashion to photojournalism (exhibited at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art in 2000 and at the Tate Modern in London in 2016-17), which apparently had to be rotated for lack of sufficient wall space, while the astoundingly colorful and outsize glass Chihuly’s were fighting for real estate stacked nearly on top of each other on the floor. Honky Chateau (as Christie’s has named the “home goods”) indeed!
ULVIS ALBERTS (B. 1942), Cher and Elton, Hollywood, 1975
As you arrive at Elton’s/Christie’s, which incidentally takes up basically all available exhibition space, you are greeted by the man himself in a somewhat eerie 3-D video. Mr. Rocketman (who IRL is recovering from knee surgery) wants you to know how special it is to own a piece of him (or rather his collection) – how each object was carefully curated and selected, loved, and appreciated by him. I tend to doubt he even knew he had some of these items because, really, how could anyone possibly remember them all? On the other hand, he “remembers when rock was young” so who knows? Haha!
Elton’s Versace Jacket – Photo by Laurel Marcus
Fittingly titled “Out of the Closet” – an online sale ending on February 28th – features most of the fashion, so I will concentrate my energies there. Perfect for the Year of the Dragon is this ‘Chinese Dragon Suit’ designed by Keith Gregory Fleming-Haberstroh and made by Mr. Alex and Claire Dallal, 2011-2016.
Photo by Laurel Marcus
The coat features a cross-over lapel closure while the front is embroidered with two blue snarling dragons that cross over the back flames to cuffs, together with matching red wool trousers and a turquoise blue shirt. It has already bid up beyond its conservative estimate of $3,000 to $5,000, as most items have. Auction houses generally set bids low without regard to provenance or who owned it, which means all bets are off – the sky’s the limit.
Peggy Moffitt – Photo by William Claxton
I like this William Claxton (1927-2008) crystal archive photograph printed in 2004 entitled “Peggy Moffitt in Rudi Gernreich’s ‘Little Boy’ Suit” Queen Magazine Cover, London, 1966. This work is number three from an edition of twelve. It looks very contemporary while still keeping that mod ’60s aspect alive, and currently, it is way below the estimated $7-9,000.
North Beach Leather – Photo by Laurel Marcus
Another favorite is this North Beach Leather, Los Angeles, a tan chamois leather ensemble from 1972, estimated between $3,000 to $5,000, and coming up in the live auction tonight. Comprising jacket and matching trousers hand-painted with roses and musical notes, the rear shoulders with ‘Elton John’ entwined with roses, and a grand piano and doves to the back, edged with leather fringe.
It actually looks completely current! To the left is a more “costume-y” option by Annie Reavy in 1971. This was one of the first sets of stage clothes made specially for Sir Elton. In June 2018, this set was loaned to Angel Costumes at Bray Film Studios to recreate for the ‘Rocketman’ film.
Photo by Laurel Marcus
One thing for sure is that Elton loved his Versace prints on hundreds of shirts and even as upholstery fabric covering his dining chairs and other seating. He and Gianni Versace were good friends – you will recall the photo of Princess Diana sitting next to him at Versace’s funeral, trying to console him – or just whispering that she wished she had a breath mint, as current lore suggests.
Versace shirt collection – Photo by Laurel Marcus
At any rate, several lots with groupings of between 6 to 10 printed silk shirts are available. After walking out of Christie’s, I swore if I never saw another Versace print, it would be too soon.
Photo by Laurel Marcus
Although Gianni Versace was one of his favorites, Elton worked with several designers, including Bob Mackie, Tommy Nutter (see the “I’m Still Standing” outfit and boater hat), Annet Murray, and even collaborated with Yohji Yamamoto, whom he discovered through his stylist Jo Hambro’s recommendation. He once surprised her by buying out Yamamoto’s whole Paris shop!
Photo by Laurel Marcus
Hambro suggested that Elton adapt the tailcoat silhouette, which would flow nicely when sitting at the piano. This black tailcoat features painting through the right breast with blue lighting emanating from the back of a snake head while the right sleeve has the words THROUGH THE STORM in yellow lighting against a splatter-paint background.
The back shows a depiction of Elton John wearing a crown and holding a sword while sitting on a throne, his left hand outstretched as if casting a spell of further blue lighting and colorful lines, scrolls, and spheres.
Photo by Laurel Marcus
The “Crocodile Rocker” is known for his eye-catching platform heels. Several representative pairs here, including silver boots with initials E and J – a higher-heeled version circa 1974, shown at MOMA’s “Is Fashion Modern?” exhibition in 2017-18, which I remember well. These are so iconic that they also appear on the current sale’s pinball machine (Lot 50).
Gift Shop – Photo by Laurel Marcus
Interestingly, one area lacking in the sale is another of Elton’s trademarks — the extremely blinged-out eyewear. Besides an oddly toothed-shape pair of Alain Mikli’s, the glass case of colorful eyeglasses is relatively standard in size and scope. If you want a more statement pair, check out the gift shop merch where, along with some reasonably priced t-shirts, you’ll spot a few “artist-inspired jackets,” costing as much as genuine auction items.
Click here for more information on the auction.
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