Twenty classic motor cars belonging to international singer and songwriter Sir Elton John are to be auctioned by Christie's in London next Tuesday. The sale is expected to realise more than £1 million sterling (€1.66 million). Collected over some 30 years, the sale includes models by Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar and Rolls Royce. All the vehicles were owned and driven by Elton John.
"He is selling the cars for practical reasons - simply, he is away so much that he does not get to drive them enough any more," says Christie's. Having decided to sell the cars early this year before embarking on a world tour, Elton John, who is keeping eight cars, said: "I'd rather they went to people who can get pleasure out of them every day."
The singer's passion for cars began in 1970 after his early musical successes. He traded in his Ford Escort for an Aston Martin, which he called "his first great car". Says Elton: "Once you've driven a great car you never want to go back."
That first Aston is not included in the auction. However, a 1978 blue Aston Martin V8 with a racing engine does go under the hammer. It's estimated at £20,000-£30,000.
Other Elton John Astons to be auctioned include a green 1984 Aston V8 Volante, estimated at £40,000 to £50,000, a 1985 aubergine Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe expected to go for £30,000 to £40,000, and a blue Aston V8 two-door drophead saloon with an estimate of £50,000 to £70,000.
The singer's black 1973 Rolls Royce Phantom VI could fetch £110,000 to £150,000. "I've used this car a lot. It's really comfy. We did tours [in the UK] in it and it's got a great stereo system," he says. A 1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud Saloon is included in the collection, as are six post-war Continental Bentleys. Ferrari also features, with a black 1986 Ferrari 412 Coupe, a red 1991 Ferrari 512 TR and a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa, which Elton John received as a 40th birthday present.
A single-owner collection of first editions of the complete works of Jane Austen in 16 volumes goes under the hammer next Wednesday, June 6th, at Christie's in London. Dating from the early 19th century, the novels in calf bindings are expected to fetch £20,000 to £30,000 sterling. An album of drawings and letters by Edward Lear, including his famous illustrated limericks and caricatures, is estimated at £7,000 to £10,000.
A world record was recently set for an antique dress, when an elaborate velvet and satin gown with a detachable 10-and-a-half-foot train went for $101,500. Sold in New York, it belonged to Esther Maria Lewis Chapin (1871-1959), the great-great granddaughter of Elizabeth Washington Lewis (17331797), George Washington's sister.
An Irish mahogany side table circa 1750 to be sold at Sotheby's in London on June 13th is expected to fetch £80,000-£120,000. The moulded rectangular top is above a frieze carved with foliage and flowers, which is centred by a grotesque mask. With clawed feet, it stands 78 centimetres high, 163 centimetres wide and 73 centimetres deep.
jmarms@irish-times.ie
