Elton John Fans Pay US$8 Million for His Treasures at Auction
3 min
The aptly named “opening night” at Christie’s for the eclectic mix of art, photography, costumes, and objects that filled Elton John’s Atlanta home drew a crowd of bidding fans who snapped up everything on offer for a total of US$8 million.
Among items the lucky winners snagged was a collector’s edition of a pinball machine signed by John that plays 16 full-length studio master tracks of his hit songs and features interactive LED lights and LCD displays; a 1990 Bentley Continental two-door convertible; a pair of silver leather platform boots; and silver rocket-shaped cocktail shakers.
Many of the collectible treasures in the 49-lot sale sold above estimates, in total achieving 155% of the low-end of anticipated prices. According to Christie’s, 40% of bidders and buyers were new to Christie’s.
Before the sale, the auction house shared that a heart-shaped collage by Damien Hirst that was made for John and his husband, David Furnish—expected to fetch up to US$450,000—would be withdrawn as the family decided to retain the piece.
The biggest sale of the evening was a painting by Banksy that John acquired directly from the elusive British graffiti artist. Flower Thrower Triptych , 2017, sold for US$1.55 million, US$1.925 million with fees.
Wednesday’s evening auction was the first of two live and six online sales that are filled with a total of nearly 900 items that spoke to John’s passions, style, and vision.
Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd. 2024
Many lots sparked brisk back-and-forth bidding between collectors in the packed saleroom, on the phone with specialists, and online. The auction house generated excitement from the get-go with a pair of 1975 prescription Sir Winston Eyeware sunglasses that sold for a hammer price of US$18,000, six times a presale high estimate. With fees, the sunglasses sold for US$22,680.
That opening lot was followed by the sale of a pair of Elizabeth II silver cocktail shakers shaped like rockets, made by Mark of Theo Fennell in London in 1993, that fetched US$40,000, four times the high estimate, after vigorous bidding. With fees, the shakers cost US$50,400.
Then came a pair of silver leather tall platform boots, circa 1971, that sold for US$70,000—seven times the high estimate, and US$94,500 with fees.
Glittery watches and jewellery also stole the show. An “exuberant and rare” 18K gold, diamond, and yellow sapphire-set automatic chronograph Rolex with a leopard-print dial sold for US$140,000, more than double a high estimate. The total with fees was US$176,500.
A Cartier “crash” model watch from 1991, sold for US$220,000, above a US$100,000 high estimate, or US$227,200 with fees.
Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd. 2024
The sale also featured photography from Robert Mapplethorpe, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Andy Warhol, and Cindy Sherman, among others. There was also art by Keith Haring, Sol Lewitt, and Julian Schnabel.
John’s conservatory grand piano, a Yamaha Model C6F, circa 1992, that had taken centre stage in his home sold for US$160,000, more than three times a high estimate; with fees, it fetched US$201,600.
The evening auction ended with the sale of John’s 1990 Bentley continental two-door convertible for US$350,000 (10 times the high estimate), or US$441,00 with fees, and the sale of the pinball machine, which fetched US$55,000, or US$69,300 with fees.
Elton John fans have plenty of opportunities to bid again on the singer’s collectibles, including more costumes, watches, fine and decorative arts, and jewellery. Another 281 items will be sold at a live sale at Christie’s on Thursday, and there are six online auctions continuing through next week.
One online sale features John’s friendship with Versace, and including couture, decorative arts, photographs, and jewellery; another titled “Honky Château” celebrates the singer’s aesthetic with brightly coloured art glass, painting, and sculpture.
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Paine Schwartz joins BERO as a new investor as the year-old company seeks to triple sales.
The sports-car maker delivered 279,449 cars last year, down from 310,718 in 2024.
Paine Schwartz joins BERO as a new investor as the year-old company seeks to triple sales.
2 minPrivate-equity firm Paine Schwartz Partners is backing BERO, a nonalcoholic beer brand launched by British actor and “Spider-Man” star Tom Holland.
A person familiar with the transaction said it values New York-based BERO at more than $100 million and will help support the brand’s ambitious growth plans.
BERO co-founder and Chief Executive John Herman said the company aims to more than double its sales team and significantly expand distribution to roughly triple sales this year.
BERO, which Holland and Herman launched in late 2024, reached nearly $10 million in sales in its first year and expects sales to reach almost $30 million this year, said Herman, who previously served as president of C4 Energy brand drink maker Nutrabolt.
“We weren’t just looking for capital,” Herman said. “We were looking for great partners that could help us grow.”
Paine Schwartz is investing through BetterCo Holdings, a portfolio company in the firm’s sixth flagship fund that it formed late last year to hold non-control investments in better-for-you food and beverage businesses, Paine Schwartz CEO Kevin Schwartz said.
Ultimately, Schwartz said he expects BetterCo to hold five to 10 investments.
BERO, BetterCo’s third investment, falls within the firm’s typical growth investment range of $10 million to $25 million, he said.
Earlier BERO backers include leading talent agency William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and venture-capital firm Imaginary Ventures, which also participated in the latest investment.
“This first external raise is not just a milestone, but a validation of what’s been achieved in a single year,” said Logan Langberg, a partner at Imaginary Ventures.
When they started BERO, Holland and Herman tapped as brewmaster Grant Wood, a past Boston Beer executive who went on to found Revolver Brewing, now part of Tilray Brands.
The brand currently offers four types of beer, including two IPAs. Its products are sold at Target stores, on Amazon.com and at other retail locations, such as supermarket chains Sprouts Farmers Market and Wegmans Food Markets in the U.S. and Morrisons in the U.K. BERO is also available at a number of liquor stores and bars and restaurants.
The company also offers a $55 a year premium membership that offers such perks as free shipping and access to member-only products and limited-edition releases.
To help build the brand’s name, BERO has struck a series of partnerships, becoming the official nonalcoholic beer partner of luxury sports-car maker Aston Martin and fitness studio chain Barry’s.
Nonalcoholic beers, which generally contain less than 0.5% of alcohol by volume, have become increasingly popular and account for the biggest share of alcohol-free drink sales, according to the Beer Institute, a national trade association.
Sales of such drinks are growing at a more than 20% annual rate and were expected to exceed $1 billion in 2025, according to market-research firm NielsenIQ, citing so-called off-premise channel sales it tracks, such as sales at liquor stores and grocery stores. But the bulk of those sales come from the top five brands, such as Athletic Brewing, co-founded by a former trader at Steve Cohen’s hedge fund Point72 Asset Management, NielsenIQ said.
Alcohol-free drinks, the market-research firm said, have emerged as a lifestyle choice—one based not on quitting alcohol but expanding options, with most non-alcohol buyers also buying alcoholic drinks.
“There’s a pendular swing in behaviours that [is] happening right now when it comes to people’s relationship with alcohol,” Herman said.
Corrections & Amplifications undefined Nonalcoholic beer brand BERO offers its fans a premium membership for $55 a year. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said the membership costs $50. (Corrected on Jan. 20.)
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