While Charlie Watts is remembered as Rolling Stones' drummer, not many know that he was also an avid reader and collection of books. And now, roughly two years after his death, Watts' eclectic book collection is set to be auction by Christie's, reported the BBC.
Watts' book collection includes many rare first edition books. It includes a first edition signed copy of 'The Great Gatsby' by F Scott Fitzgerald, which is estimated to be auctioned for £200,000-300,000. The book was originally dedicate to Harold Goldman- MGM Screenwriter. The inscription in the book reads, "For Harold Goldman, the original 'Gatsby' of this story, with thanks for letting me reveal these secrets of his past".
Other highlights of Watts' book collection up for auction are the first edition and rare copy 'The Hound Of The Baskervilles' by Arthur Conan Doyle, first edition and rare books by James Joyce, Agatha Christie, and PG Wodehouse.
Commenting on Watts' love for books and literature, his biographer Paul Sexton said, as per the BBC, "He valued his time at home and he would read on the road, so literature was a very important part of his make-up... I don't think he acquired them because he knew they would become valuable, he just took a huge satisfaction in owning these great works and tracking down, with the help of experts, original first editions."
Apart from Watts' interesting collection of books, his jazz memorabilia are also up for auction.
Christie's will host the auction on September 28-29, 2023.
