Following the success of the record-breaking ‘Freddie Mercury: A World of his Own’ auction series at Sotheby’s last year, the infamous auction house has curated items from the world of music and film to go under the hammer in a dedicated online sale. Pieces are available for public view at Sotheby’s gallery on Bond Street from 9 September.
Pieces include a Steinway grand piano (estimated between £150,000 to £200,000) bought by Abbey Road Studios in 1973 which was played in the recording of tracks by musical icons including Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga. Alongside the piano are plenty of guitars. A stage-played and filmed VOX HDC-77 semi-hollow electric guitar used by music legend Prince is available to purchase and estimated between £200,000 to £300,000. The opening of the sale coincides with the reissue of Oasis’ award-winning album ‘Definitely Maybe’, celebrating 30 years since its release in which it was the fastest-ever selling debut in the UK and has sold almost seven million copies worldwide. Two guitars owned and used by Noel Gallagher in the recording of this seminal album, featured on the cover of ‘Supersonic’ will be included in the auction.
An important archive collection from John & Yoko’s ‘Bed-in For Peace’ protest in Amsterdam in 1969 is available. Estimated between £70,000 and £90,000, the collection includes a handwritten John Lennon letter, detailed handwritten questionnaire, and signed material from the Amsterdam protest. Offering a fascinating insight into the legendary Beatle at a key point in his solo career, personal life and political mission, the items were obtained by a 16-year-old Dutch Beatles fan who interviewed John & Yoko at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel in March 1969.
A selection of artefacts from the Golden Age of Hollywood through to blockbuster films also feature in the auction. Sold on behalf of the Film and Television Charity, highlights include an original pair of red ballet slippers from the 1948 film The Red Shoes, and the rhino-riding gladiator costume as worn in Sir Ridley Scott’s forthcoming sequel, Gladiator II. Donated by the producers of the James Bond film franchise, EON Productions, are limited-edition box sets of two Omega ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ 50th anniversary Seamaster Diver 300M model watches, estimated between £40,000 - £60,000, with all proceeds of the sales going to the world-leading arts charity, BAFTA.
Bidding opens at sothebys.com at 2:00pm BST on 29 August 2024 and closes on Friday 12 September at 2:00pm BST.