Sir Elton's mother sells career memorabilia

A plaque celebrating Candle In The Wind is among the auction lots

More than 100 gold and platinum discs are among a collection of memorabilia from Sir Elton John's career which has been put up for auction by his mother.

Tour jackets and VIP passes used by Sheila Farebrother for backstage access at his concerts are among the lots.

Two multi-platinum discs for Candle In The Wind, re-released in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, are also being sold in East Sussex.

Auctioneer Gorringes said it could not put an accurate figure on their value.

Mrs Farebrother is selling the collection in Lewes on 19 October after downsizing to a new home on the south coast.

"From an early age Elton would love to perform at family weddings and birthdays," she said.

"When his career as a performer began to take off I would go along to his concerts and my main concern was that he wouldn't forget any of his lyrics.

Stage suits

"It wasn't until the concert in Madison Square Garden in 1974 when John Lennon made an appearance on stage and sang with Elton that I realised he had become a world superstar."

Also in the sale are two platinum discs for the first million sales of the 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, plus items from Bob Halley, the musician' s manager for more than 30 years.

Among the 227 items are four silk Versace stage suits that Sir Elton wore on tour and artwork by Sam Taylor-Wood which featured on the sleeve of his album, Songs from the West Coast.

The highlight of the sale is said to be two sets of framed discs commemorating the 63-year-old musician's 43 million record sales in the United States.

Sir Elton John's mother Sheila Farebrother is selling the mementoes after moving to a smaller house

Also being sold is a diamond-studded Theo Fennell crucifix, worth up to £3,000, which was given to Mr Halley by Sir Elton as a birthday gift and signed: "To Bob, Happy Birthday, Love Elton."

Sir Elton has sold more than 250 million records in a career spanning five decades.

Andrew Elliston-Elhinn, of Gorringes, said it was one of the most interesting sales it had ever had.

"Nothing like this has been seen since an Elton John sale back in 1988 which was different because it didn't include quite so many benchmark items from his career," he said.

"His mother used to have a large games room with shelf upon shelf to store all the things he had given her, but since moving she doesn't have the room any more.

"Some of the items are autographed but, as his mum said, 'Why would he sign things for me? I'm his mum.'

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for buyers and we expect it to be a fan-driven auction."