Elton John is one of the most remarkable musicians this country has ever produced: a rock star, an entertainer, a phenominal figure who keeps his global audience guessing about what he will come up with next. At the top of his own field for more than twenty years, he is also well known for his love of sport and his patronage of British football. Now, with the publication of these catalogues, we can see him as an astonishingly energetic and enthusiastic collector of works of art.

Rock and roll records were Elton John's earliest passion, with the result that he now has one of the largest collections of recorded music in private hands. But soon after the launch of his own first discs he turned his attention to the decorative arts of the twentienth century. as the group of 1920s and '30s decorative bronze and ivory sculptures show. There are fine pictures including works by Magritte and Lowry. Cartier jewellry, another passion also forms an important part of his collection. Elton's fans and students of rock music everywhere will also recognize many items from the memorabilia catalogue: the most comprehensive offering of the appendages of rock ever to appear on the market. We find the Pinball Wizard's gigantic pair of Doc Marten's made for the film 'Tommy', the baseball outfit worn at the Dodgers Stadium Concert in 1975 and the Eiffel Tower boater worn in concert in Paris.

In a recent interview with the Press, Elton John told the world why at the height of his fame and fortune he was selling nearly everything he owned. He has simply outcollected hos home's ability to absorb what he has purchased: when I first went there it was an Aladdin's cave, a magic toy shop, but hard to find somewhere to sit. Paul Gambaccini, in this catalogue, who has known the star for many years discusses the collection in the light of Elton's career to date. We are also fortunate in hearing Elton's own views on the subject which he gave us at Bond Street while Terry O'Neil took the photos for the catalog cover shots.

It is clear that Elton the Collector will start again. The next twenty years should be as fascinating, if a bit more concentrated, than the last. Meanwhile it is typical that the world will be able, this autumn, to share the star's good fortune.

Sotheby's Chairman