Christie’s special auction of Sir Elton John’s collection rocketed to success on the opening night in New York, achieving $8 million (£6.3 million). The megastar, known for his visionary music and fabulous fashion, has sold a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind pieces from his luxury Atlanta home on Peachtree Road.

Speaking in 2016, John explained that he collects “for the beauty, not the value. I’m in awe of these things… I live with these works around me and they bring me great joy because every day I wake up and notice something new.”

“The collection of Sir Elton John: Goodbye Peachtree Road” featured a plethora of unique pieces, from an extravagant 18^th-century inspired costume and popstar memorabilia, to custom Damien Hirst’s and original photographs. Buyers enthusiastically vied over 49 lots in the first auction, with the first four pieces soaring past their estimates.

A pair of silver leather platform boots, emblazoned with the red letters E and J, fetched an astonishing $94,500 (£74,600)— a staggering 19 times its low estimate. John wore the iconic boots during several performances throughout the 1970s. Other standout clothing pieces included a signature pair of prescription sunglasses from 1975, which sold for 11 times the low estimate at $22,680 (£17,900). A blue bedazzled “captain fantastic” suit, designed by Keith Gregory Fleming-Haberstroh, fetched $30,000 (£23,700).

Extravagant jewellery and silverware also formed a large part of the sale. A new world auction record for Rolex was set by a rare leopard-print dial Daytona wristwatch (c. 2001), adorned with orange sapphires and diamonds, which sold for a $176,400 (£139,300). A pair of Elizabeth II silver rocket-form cocktail shakers, designed by Theo Fennel in 1993, soared above their $5,000 (£3,900) low estimate, realising $50,400 (£39,700).

The highlight of the evening was “Flower Thrower Triptych” (2017) by the enigmatic street artist Banksy, who John directly acquired the artwork from. It achieved a whopping $1.93 million (£1.52 million). A Yamaha conservatory grand piano (c. 1992) that the Tiny Dancer singer would play at home continued to set the tone, selling for $201,600 (£159,200).

John lived in East Atlanta for 31 years and described the time at Peachtree as “an incredible part” of his life. After getting sober in the 1990s, he began ardently collecting American photography, contemporary artworks with a focus on seminal LGBTQ+ artists, and a swathe of luxury goods. John and his husband David Furnish decided to sell their condominium in the city for $7.2 million (£5.6 million) in 2023.

“It’s so weird,” said John. “I’ve had my photograph taken by so many famous photographers, but I never considered it as an art form until I got sober. And then I changed my appetite for photography and contemporary art.”

Fans were able to explore the extraordinary collection in person as part of the free public exhibition that took place before the sales. Two more sales of John’s collection on 22nd and 23rd February brought in another $6.4 million (£5 million), and the final online sales called “Love, Lust and Devotion”, “Elton’s Superstars” and “Out of the Closet” were scheduled for 28th February.