Sotheby’s is set to open a new chapter in the world of memorabilia with its inaugural popular culture auction, showcasing a curated selection of intimate artefacts from two of Britain’s most enigmatic musical figures—Amy Winehouse and Marianne Faithfull. The auction, a nod to the enduring allure of these icons, offers a rare opportunity for collectors and fans alike to own pieces that once belonged to the women who defined and defied their eras.
From the archives of Amy Winehouse, a collection curated by her close friend Tyler James, includes handwritten lyrics, personal items, and a glimpse into the life of the singer whose voice still reverberates through the halls of music history. Among the highlights are lyrics to “Cherry,” the elusive hidden track from her debut album Frank, and unreleased songs like “Like Smoke” and “Knights Before.” The collection also features a red bowling shirt, famously embroidered with “Amy Civil,” worn during a Camden night out in 2008—a poignant reminder of her brief and tumultuous marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil. A five-page manuscript, scribbled with black ink and adorned with doodles of hearts and pin-up girls, further encapsulates the raw creativity that Winehouse carried with her.
Tyler James, in sharing these deeply personal items, reflects on a journey of healing and remembrance. “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,” James noted, emphasizing that Winehouse herself would have supported such an endeavor.
Parallel to Winehouse’s artefacts, the auction also features treasures from the storied life of Marianne Faithfull, a figure whose very name evokes the rebellious spirit of the 1960s and the bohemian elegance of rock and roll. Faithfull’s offerings include Chanel jackets gifted by the legendary Karl Lagerfeld, handwritten lyrics from her albums Sleep, There Is A Ghost, and Sex with Strangers, as well as scripts from her cinematic endeavors like The Black Rider and Marie Antoinette. A standout piece is an oil painting by Maggi Hambling, a tribute to Henrietta Moraes, which captures the intersection of art and the avant-garde that defined Faithfull’s life.
Katherine Schofield, head of popular culture at Sotheby’s, spoke of the auction with reverence: “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 and provides an intimate look into the original queen of rock and roll.”
As the auction begins on August 29, with an accompanying exhibition at Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries from September 9 to 12, this event promises not just a sale but a rare glimpse into the lives of two women who shaped the cultural landscape with their talent, their style, and their indomitable spirits.
