Bernie Taupin sale set to be a big hit
Items belong to Elton John’s hugely successful songwriter partner, Bernie Taupin, from annotated lyric sheets to an original program for the official 1997 funeral of Princess Diana, are to go under the hammer in the US next month.
Julien’s Auctions will host the sale at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York and online, with highlights including:
- Annotated lyrics to some of his classic creations (various estimates) including “Candle in The Wind 1997” tribute to Princess Diana, typed sheets with alternate lines handwritten
- Original lyrics to “I’m Still Standing” from 1983’s Too Low For Zero
- Taupin’s gold and platinum record awards for albums Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (estimate: $2,000-$4,000); Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (estimate: $2,000-$4,000); Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player (estimate: $1,000-$2,000); Honky Château (estimate: $1,000-$2,000); Tumbleweed Connection (estimate: $1,000-$2,000)
- His 1987 Special Recognition MTV Moonman trophy (estimate: $8,000-$10,000)
- Hand-drawn interpretative artwork (acrylic on paper) signed by Bernie Taupin, featuring Taupin’s lyrics to classics such as “Yellow Brick Road,” “Daniel,” “Rocket Man,” Bennie and The Jets”.
- A vintage National steel guitar
- Clothing, signed prints, jewellery, memorabilia, Western ephemera and more.
- A leather desk chair from Taupin’s office at Round Up Valley Ranch in Santa Ynez, California in which he has written songs for over 25 years.