Christie’s flagship auction, Charlie Watts: Gentleman, Collector, Rolling Stone – Literature and Jazz, is now open for browsing at christies.com. Comprising an unparalleled library of modern first edition books – described as the finest and highest value collection of its kind to come to auction in over twenty years – along with an extensive collection of jazz memorabilia, the two-part auction includes over 500 lots, acquired over many years by the Rolling Stones’ legendary drummer.
Charlie Watts, who made his first appearance with the Rolling Stones in 1963, was passionate about 20th century literature. He collected a number of the greatest works and leading the live sale at Christie’s London headquarters on 28 September will be an important copy of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, inscribed inside the front cover to ‘the original Gatsby’, Harold Goldman, screenwriter at MGM (estimate: £200,000- 300,000).
The auction also includes presentation inscriptions and the rarest obtainable editions of books by authors including George Orwell, Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle and James Joyce, with estimates ranging from £800 to £300,000.
Although Watts made his name in rock as an essential part of one of the most successful Rock n Roll bands of all time, his first love was jazz. He formed his own jazz group, The Charlie Watts Quintet, and this musical passion became prominent in his collecting. This unrivalled collection has a particular focus on his favourite saxophonist, the legendary Charlie Parker, and highlights of the sale include Parker’s Associated Musicians Membership Card, his contracts for the Alto Break sessions and a pair of Down Beat awards from 1952 (estimate: £10,000-15,000).
Further jazz lots include two scores by Irving Berlin – Songs from Top Hat and Songs from Follow the Fleet – inscribed to Ginger Rogers (estimate: £4,000-6,000) and two inscribed piano scores by the influential cornetist Leon ‘Bix’ Beiderbecke (estimate: £6,000-8,000).
Benedict Winter, Specialist, Private & Iconic Collections and Mark Wiltshire, Specialist, Books and Manuscripts at Christie’s, said, “Charlie Watts holds a unique position within music history and Christie’s is proud to pay tribute to his extraordinary achievements and multifaceted legacy. Charlie built his collection of modern literature and jazz with passion, intelligence and dedication, and this two-part auction celebrates his distinguished collecting taste. We invite the public to join us in this rare opportunity to glimpse the very private world of this extraordinary musical genius.”
Charlie Watts: Gentleman, Collector, Rolling Stone – Literature and Jazz will take place at Christie’s headquarters in London on 28 September (Part I), alongside an online sale which will be open for bidding from 15 to 29 September (Part II). The public pre-sale exhibition takes place in London from 20 to 27 September. For further information: christies.com
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Image: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald © CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LIMITED 2023