Amy Winehouse and Marianne Faithfull’s Personal Items to Be Auctioned by Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s is gearing up for a groundbreaking event with its inaugural popular culture auction, showcasing a selection of personal memorabilia from two legendary British artists: Amy Winehouse and Marianne Faithfull. This auction promises to be a significant cultural event, highlighting the enduring impact and personal stories of these influential figures.

Among the items up for bid from Amy Winehouse’s collection are handwritten lyrics and a distinctive personalized bowling shirt. These artifacts offer a unique glimpse into the personal and creative life of the late singer. The memorabilia is being brought to auction by Tyler James, a close friend of Winehouse, who has expressed a deep commitment to honoring her memory through this sale.

The handwritten lyrics include those for “Cherry,” a hidden track from Winehouse’s debut album, Frank, as well as lyrics for unreleased tracks such as “Like Smoke” and “Knights Before.” These documents, penned in Winehouse’s distinctive handwriting, provide a rare insight into her songwriting process and creative expression. James, reflecting on the significance of the auction, stated, “Sharing these items with Amy’s fans is the start of a new journey for me and a new chapter of my life in wanting to help others and give something back. I know in my heart Amy would wholeheartedly support it.”

Another notable item is a red bowling shirt, which Winehouse was famously photographed wearing after a night out in Camden in 2008. The shirt is embroidered with the name “Amy Civil,” a reference to her marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil between 2007 and 2009. This piece of clothing captures a moment from Winehouse’s vibrant and often tumultuous life.

In addition to the shirt, the auction will feature a five-page manuscript written in black ballpoint ink on lined notebook paper. The manuscript includes doodles of hearts and a pin-up girl, offering a glimpse into Winehouse’s artistic side beyond her music. These items collectively paint a vivid picture of her personality and creative spirit.

This collection of Winehouse’s belongings is part of Sotheby’s first popular culture auction, which will kick off online bidding on Thursday, August 29. Katherine Schofield, head of popular culture at Sotheby’s, expressed her excitement about including Winehouse’s items in the sale. “I am honored to feature two British female trailblazers in our inaugural popular culture sale,” she remarked.

Marianne Faithfull, another iconic figure in the auction, is also contributing personal items from her storied career. The collection includes handwritten lyrics from various albums such as Sleep, There Is A Ghost, and Sex with Strangers. Additionally, there are Chanel jackets gifted by the legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld, a signed expired British passport, and a striking black and red artwork of a female figure by Anita Pallenberg, dated 1992.

Faithfull’s items reflect her diverse career, spanning music, acting, and fashion. The auction will also feature an oil painting tribute to Henrietta Moraes by Maggi Hambling and scripts from films in which Faithfull appeared, including The Black Rider and Marie Antoinette. Schofield praised Faithfull’s contribution to the auction, stating, “The name Marianne Faithfull is synonymous with a revolutionary time for youth culture and conjures up images of liberation and the epitome of bohemian rock chic. To bring items from her personal collection for auction, spanning her songwriting, performance, acting, and fashion memories, has been extremely insightful and a true privilege, providing an intimate look into the original queen of rock and roll.”

To complement the auction, Sotheby’s will host an exhibition of the featured items at their New Bond Street galleries in London. This exhibition will be open to the public from September 9 to 12, offering a chance to view the items up close before the auction concludes.

With these remarkable personal artifacts from Amy Winehouse and Marianne Faithfull, Sotheby’s is poised to offer a compelling glimpse into the lives and legacies of two of Britain’s most celebrated musical icons.