Charlie Watts’ remarkable collection of first-edition books and jazz memorabilia is set to be auctioned in September. The late Rolling Stones drummer had accumulated over 500 items, including a rare first edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” with the author’s inscriptions. These items will be featured in a sale at Christie’s auction house in London on September 28 and an online sale from September 15 to 29.
Christie’s specialists Benedict Winter and Mark Wiltshire lauded Watts’ status in music history and his exceptional legacy in a press statement. They emphasized Watts’s passion, intelligence, and dedication in curating his extensive collection of modern literature and jazz.
Watts, who passed away in August 2021, possessed what Christie called the “most sought-after editions” of works by acclaimed authors like George Orwell, Agatha Christie, and James Joyce. These items are projected to fetch anywhere from £800 to £300,000 ($1,020 to $383,000). Watts’ collection also comprises items that once belonged to jazz greats, including his beloved saxophonist, Charlie Parker.
Watts had written a children’s book about Parker, who significantly contributed to the evolution of bebop, a modern jazz form. Prospective bidders can acquire Parker’s items, like his Associated Musicians Membership Card and a pair of his 1952 Down Beat awards.
The auction will also showcase scores from renowned American composer Irving Berlin and George Gershwin’s annotated printed score for his 1935 opera “Porgy and Bess,” expected to sell for up to £15,000 ($19,000).
Dave Green, a British jazz musician and a childhood friend of Watts, reminisced about their shared lifelong passion for jazz. He commented on Watts’ dedication to collecting jazz memorabilia since his teens and how it continued flourishing even during his time with the Rolling Stones.
Key pieces from the collection will be exhibited in Los Angeles from July 25 to 29 and in New York from September 5 to 8. A public pre-sale exhibition is also scheduled in London from September 20 to 27.
The auction and subsequent exhibitions serve not only as a tribute to Charlie Watts’ illustrious career in music but also as a testament to his refined taste in literature and love for jazz. As such, they provide a unique opportunity for fans and collectors alike to own a piece of this legendary musician’s legacy. Whether it’s a signed first edition of “The Great Gatsby,” personal items from jazz greats, or rare books by beloved authors, these artifacts paint a vivid picture of the man behind the music, offering a deeper insight into the inspirations that fueled his artistry.
