Christie's has announced an auction of late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts' outstanding collection of books.
Titled "Charlie Watts: Gentleman, Collector, Rolling Stone," the two-part auction comprises an extraordinary library of modern first editions together with landmarks from the world of jazz, collected by the drummer.
The flagship auction, "Charlie Watts: Literature and Jazz Part I," will take place live in London on September 28, with a "Part II" online sale open for bidding from September 15 to 29.
Leading the live sale is a first edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." Charlie's literary collection also features iconic works of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle alongside the best English and American literature of the 20th century.
Other notable highlights include a George Gershwin signed printed score of the legendary opera "Porgy and Bess" and a pair of Down Beat awards from 1952 presented to Charlie Parker as well as signed photographs and rare acetate recordings from the jazz and musical hall of fame.
"Charlie was the heartbeat of the Rolling Stones for nearly sixty years, he was totally unique and devoted to jazz and literature from boyhood. He was the quintessential English gentleman and his absence is a great loss for us all. We miss him hugely," said Watts' Rolling Stones bandmates Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood.
(Photo: Klemens Riegler)
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