The extensive collection of books and jazz-related items that belonged to the late Charlie Watts, the drummer of the Rolling Stones, will be up for bid in a two-part auction this September, announced Christie’s auction house on Monday.
Christie’s will host the “Charlie Watts: Gentleman, Collector, Rolling Stone – Literature and Jazz” event, featuring over 500 items with prices estimated between £800 and £300,000 ($1,023 – $383,730).
Noteworthy among the items is a copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”, bearing a dedication to screenwriter Harold Goldman on the front cover, referring to him as “the original Gatsby”. This rare piece is expected to fetch around £200,000.
Rare versions of works by prominent authors such as George Orwell, James Joyce, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Agatha Christie are also included in the sale.
The literary offerings were described by Christie’s as “an unparalleled library of modern first edition books, the finest and highest value collection of its kind to come to auction in over twenty years.”
Watts, who became a member of the Rolling Stones in 1963, passed away in 2021 at 80.
The jazz memorabilia for auction are Charlie Parker’s Associated Musicians Membership Card and an annotated score for George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.”
“Charlie was the heartbeat of the Rolling Stones for nearly 60 years; his passion for jazz and literature was evident since childhood,” said Watts’ bandmates Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood in a joint statement.
“He embodied the classic English gentleman, and his departure is a significant loss for us all. His absence is profoundly felt.”
The main auction will occur in London on Sept. 28, while an online auction will take place from Sept. 15-29, Christie’s added.
This auction represents a unique opportunity for fans and collectors to own a part of the late Charlie Watts’ treasured collection. Each piece carries a piece of the drummer’s passions, reflecting his life beyond the stage as a true connoisseur of literature and jazz. While his drumming legacy with the Rolling Stones remains immeasurable, his personal library and memorabilia collection offers another glimpse into his depth of interest and remarkable life.
