Don’t go breaking my heart: Valentine’s Day gifts every Elton John fan will love

With the Collection of Sir Elton John: Goodbye Peachtree Road taking centre stage at Christie’s New York this February, Valentine’s Day presents the perfect opportunity to gift a loved one something that belonged to the legendary musician.

Whether you’re looking for a timeless jewel, fashion photograph or memorabilia that is quintessentially Elton, these lots offer a treasure for everyone. They also encompass the many facets of the EGOT-winning star himself: the sentimentalist, the dreamer, the showman, the philanthropist, the scholar and the jokester.

Here, we’ve gathered a few of our favourite ideas — and we doubt your love will still be standing upon receiving these.

‘My gift is my song and this one’s for you’

For those who struggle to ‘put down in words how wonderful life is while you’re in the world’, Damien Hirst has created a dreamy object of affection. From 2008, this mixed-media work on canvas, aptly titled Your Song, was made specially for John and his husband David Furnish, and features their photograph alongside some of the artist’s signature motifs, including butterflies and pills.

Gold, gold heart

John’s ensembles would never be complete without jewellery, and his collection is chockful of symbols of love, as well as perennial favourites, such as these Cartier ‘LOVE’ bracelets in white gold, yellow gold and yellow gold with diamonds.

Cocktails and Mocktails for Valentine’s Day and ‘Saturday, Saturday!’

Numerous pieces in John’s collection pay homage to his hit, Rocket Man. This set of Theo Fennell cocktail shakers would be an out-of-this-world conversation starter in any bar.

‘Overwear, underwear, anytime, anywhere’

Horst P. Horst is an essential artist in John’s impressive collection of fashion photography, and this particular image is one of the photographer’s most recognisable. Julian Opie’s Sara Gets Undressed, 17, too, presents an artful alternative to gifting lingerie.

Wear your heart on your sleeve

It’s hard to find a printed silk Versace shirt from the 1990s that didn’t hang in John’s wardrobe. This set comes from the Italian house’s iconic 1995 ‘Hearts’ series and has you fashionably fitted for the next five Valentine’s Days to come.

‘You’re a butterfly, and butterflies are free to fly’

While Sandy Skoglund is most known for her Surrealist, animal-filled photographs, it’s easy to envision this enchanting, painted-butterfly work as part of her immersive installations. The butterflies’ wings even flutter, thanks to the electric springs.

Love you to the moon and back

What could be more darling to gift an Elton John fan than these aluminium Deakin & Francis cufflinks owned by the Rocket Man himself?

‘Hold me closer, tiny dancer’

These charming scenes by Robert Doisneau and Richard Avedon will add mid-century glamour to any space for years to come.

Struck by Cupid

Whether looking for a touch of Cupid to adorn your walls or lapel, these 18th-century putti and the Art Deco Cartier jabot elevate Valentine’s clichés into designs you’d want to display all year round.

‘The flowers will never die’

Nothing could compare to the legend himself hand-delivering your Valentine’s Day bouquet.

Rekindle an old flame

These one-of-a-kind suits are right on theme, while also offering insight into John’ singular sartorial vision through two designers he worked with extensively: Gianni Versace and Yohji Yamamoto.

‘Every fibre of my being is displayed to quite remarkable effect’

Herb Ritts’s portrait of two male nudes conjure ancient Greek statues and exemplifies John’s affinity for striking, provocative photographs.

‘Hunting the horny back toad’

For those who think discretion is overrated, Dave LaChapelle’s neon sign leaves little to the imagination. The work was designed as a set piece for John’s wildly successful The Red Piano concert residency in Las Vegas, which ran from 2004 to 2009. LaChapelle also produced the scenography for the residency, as well as a number of music videos for John between 2001 and 2006.

Birds of a feather

The perfect gift from one rare bird to another, this Cartier timepiece packs a punch of colour and glitz with its cloisonné enamel dial featuring stylised flora and fauna.

‘You know I read it in a magazine’

This tongue-in-cheek image documents Bruce Weber’s muse, model Peter Johnson, surrounded by portraits of himself. The image connotes the daydream fantasies one has while ruminating over their crush — perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Love letters

These baby-pink upholstered and ebonised armchairs evoke handwritten love letters, far more chic than today’s typed or texted notes.