Elton John raises almost $2 million for Banksy painting at huge personal auction | CPT PPP Coverage

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Elton John‘s first auction, featuring 49 iconic items belonging to the singer, achieved double the sales figures originally estimated by Christie’s, bringing in an impressive $8 million (£6.31 million). Banksy’s 2017 artwork The Flower Thrower exceeded all expectations when it was sold for $1.9 million (£1.5 million).

In fact, 87 per cent of the items the 76-year-old crooner was offering up reached a higher winning amount than expected, as The Collection of Sir Elton John sparked off a bidding frenzy. Other items in the impressive collection included the Candle in the Wind star’s Yamaha grand piano, which reached $201,600 (£159,134 with fees).

Although perhaps not everyone keen to get their hands on the iconic item would be able to match Elton’s famed talent for playing it, there’s no doubt it was one of the hottest memorabilia items on the night. Elton’s flamboyant and distinctive dress sense was showcased in the auction too, as would-be buyers set their admiring gazes on a pair of towering high-heeled silver leather platform boots.

The battered and scuffed but still iconic shoes featured the letters ‘E’ and ‘J’ emblazoned on each one, spelling out the initials in his name in bright red – and someone snapped them up for a huge £74,954. Meanwhile, a pair of vintage prescription sunglasses, which he is believed to have purchased in 1975, reached almost £18,000.

The sleek 1990 Bentley Continental which Elton used in order to travel in style between Atlanta to Los Angeles reflected the fast-paced touring lifestyle he once had, and was sold for $441,000 (£348,107.) Mirroring his love of style was a selection of silk shirts by high fashion brand Versace, fetching the more than respectable sum of $30,240 (£23,870).

Three watches made it to the auction – two by Cartier and a third by Rolex – and the trio were sold for $630,000 (£497,296).

Meanwhile, more unusual items included a David LaChapelle sign emblazoned with the word: “Horny?!” and some erotic art, including depictions of a snake on a naked body and a famous Helmut Newton artwork of a woman tied up.

This huge haul is just the beginning, as it is believed Elton will part with more than 900 items before the sales are over.

He is believed to have taken the dramatic step due to looking towards retiring from touring, meaning he can downsize some of his vast collection of costume items.

Elton and husband David Furnish also recently sold their Atlanta condo which they’d been using so they could commute between different cities in the USA for tours.

The location meant he could sleep in his own bed every night instead of relying on hotels – but now that the hectic touring schedule he once had is a thing of the past, he no longer needed the property.

He’s auctioning off the contents of the condo bit by bit – and fans will be amazed at the diversity of the collection.

Proceeds will go towards helping the Elton John AIDS Foundation carry on its work.

Further auctions will be held by Christie’s, while an impressive range of personal effects including jewellery is also available to view online.

Highlights include a pair of rocket-shaped cufflinks – the perfect tribute to the Rocketman singer’s personal style.

Proud deputy chairman of Christie’s Americas, Tash Perrin, said in a statement: “It was a privilege to auction Elton John’s inspiring collection. We were thrilled with the results of tonight’s top lot: the Banksy Flower Thrower Triptych which exceeded the high estimate.

“We were also delighted to see so many lots far surpassing their high estimate with objects ranging from a Versace dinner service set to EJ monogrammed boots.”