Amy Winehouse's Memorabilia Sold for $4 Million
Over 800 items once owned by the late singer Amy Winehouse were recently auctioned off for $4 million with proceeds going to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
Almost a decade after Amy Winehouse's death, memorabilia from the Grammy award winning artist sold for a total of $4 million dollars. The auction, "Property From the Life and Career of Amy Winehouse", was a two day event produced by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, CA on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 6 -7.
Prior to the two day auction, fans had the opportunity to view over 800 pieces of Winehouse’s personal collection in a free public exhibition at Julien’s Auctions. Displayed were items such as the British icon's signature dresses, jewelry, shoes, books, records, perfume bottles, as well as her vocal isolation booth. Some of the top selling items were Winehouse’s final stage performance dress which sold for $243,200, a custom Moschino heart shaped purse at $204,800, and a fan inscribed memorial which sold for $19,200.
“It’s a celebration of an iconic life and Amy Winehouse is a true icon in every sense of the word,” said Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions. “You get a great idea of who she was even though she passed away at 27.”
The auction had been in the works for about eight years after Nolan met Winehouse’s father Mitch in London, however, it took only a week to stage the exhibition in the over 10,000 square foot gallery space at Julien’s Auctions.
30% of the auction’s earnings received by the Winehouse estate will be directly donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation which was formed by Winehouse’s family shortly after her death. The foundation offers music therapy for young children, recovery housing for young women who have experienced drug and alcohol related issues, as well as other resilience work for young people vulnerable to substance misuse.
Although Winehouse’s death came as a shock to fans and peers, her battle with substance abuse and depression was under public scrutiny throughout her career. This was most notably documented in the critically acclaimed “Rehab” from her second and final album Back to Black (2006). The single, which boasts “They tried to make me go to rehab - but I said no no no”, was a commercial success and her first song to enter the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
“I think a lot of people kind of saw coming what happened but it doesn’t make it any less sad,” said Winehouse fan Jeff Hawes. Hawes traveled from Seattle for the auction in hopes of winning the bid for some items including a photo of Winehouse wearing a superhero shirt and suspenders. “I’m happy to be here but it also, you know, makes me sad that she can’t still be here with us” he said.
Jessica Larson, another fan attending the event, expressed similar sentiments. “She was a true talent and she was one of kind,” Larson said. “I’m just happy to be here taking pictures and trying to just imagine what it would be like if I actually did get to see her in concert.”
For those unable to attend the event or purchase any of the items, Julien’s Auctions released a limited edition catalogue featuring exclusive photos of the singer and her memorabilia highlighted in the auction. “It’s like a history book of her life and career,” said Nolan.
The catalogue along with information on upcoming Julien’s Auctions events is found at juliensauctions.com.