Elton’s mother to sell memorabilia

A HIGHLY-PRIZED collection of Elton John memorabilia which is being sold by his mother is generating global interest from buyers, auctioneers said yesterday.

The treasure trove includes more than 100 gold and platinum discs, tour jackets and VIP passes his mother, Sheila Farebrother, used for backstage access at his concerts.

Two multi-platinum discs marking the success of Candle In The Wind, which recorded more than 33 million sales when it was re-released in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, are being sold.

There are also two platinum discs for the first million sales of the 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, plus items from Bob Halley, the musician’s manager for more than 30 years.

Auctioneers say the collection is a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for fans and collectors to own a piece of the Rocket Man’s flamboyant life.

Among the 227 items from Elton are four silk Versace stage suits that he wore on tour and artwork by Sam Taylor-Wood which featured on the sleeve of his album, Songs from the West Coast.

But the highlight of the sale is said to be two sets of framed discs commemorating the musician’s 43 million record sales in the US.

Also being sold is a diamond-studded Theo Fennell crucifix worth up to £3,000 (€3,500) which was given to Halley by Elton as a birthday gift and signed.

Farebrother is selling the collection at Gorringes Auctioneers in Lewes, East Sussex, on October 19 as she has downsized to a new home on the south coast.

She said: “From an early age Elton would love to perform at family weddings and birthdays.

“When his career as a performer began to take off I would go along to his concerts and my main concern was that he wouldn’t forget any of his lyrics.

“It wasn’t until the concert in Madison Square Garden in 1974 when John Lennon made an appearance on stage and sang with Elton that I realised he had become a world superstar.”