Starman in the saleroom: a David Bowie auction special

An exceptional collection of original designs, concepts for albums, photographs of Bowie and the band from the photoshoots as well as original paintings and sculptures will be offered at Halls in a timed online auction running from July 16-August 1.

The works have come from the personal collection of contemporary artist Edward Bell and have never before been offered for sale before. Bell was commissioned by Bowie to create the artwork for his Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) and Tin Machine albums and the two men remained friends for many years.

Bell is now resident artist at The Dory Gallery in Llangollen and Halls have collaborated with the gallery to organise the auction and exhibit the works.

The items on offer range from the original working designs for The Tin Machine album cover (signed and annotated by Bowie) to a packet of bubble-gum which was designed by Bell for the Scary Monsters release and is still sealed in its plastic wrapper after nearly 40 years.

Here is our pick of five items to help you sample what’s on offer.

1. Icon in the Making

‘Icon in the Making’ sketch by Edward Bell – £100-200 at Halls

The Halls sale features a good number of lots estimated at a few hundred pounds or below. This mixed media on card, a colour montage from Edward Bell’s Unmade Up publication, a 2017 collection of previously unseen artwork and photography, is one such example.

Signed by Bell, the sketch is titled Icon in the Making and is estimated at £100-200.

View the catalogue entry for this Edward Bell sketch on thesaleroom.com.

2. The Best of Bowie

A copy of ‘The Best of Bowie' album – estimated at £80-120 at Halls.

Among a number of vinyl records on offer at the Halls sale is this copy of the 1980 album The Best of Bowie. To be signed by the artist Edward Bell, by repute this album has never been played. It is estimated at £80-120.

View the catalogue entry for this Best of Bowie Album on thesaleroom.com.

3. Lazarus painting

‘Lazarus’ by Edward Bell – estimated at £1000-2000 at Halls.

‘Lazarus’, a signed oil on panel from Edward Bell’s David Bowie icon series will be offered at the Halls sale. Signed and dated 2016 on the back, it was illustrated in Bell’s 2017 publication Unmade Up: Recollections of a Friendship.

It is estimated at £1000-2000.

View the catalogue entry for this Edward Bell oil painting on thesaleroom.com.

4. Tin Machine photos

A group of Polaroids from the photoshoot for ‘Tin Machine’ – estimated at £600-800 at Halls.

These mounted Polaroids from the photoshoot for the Tin Machine album are estimated at £600-800. The lot features two portraits of David Bowie, a Polaroid of the back tattoo of the drummer Hunt Sales and a Polaroid of Edward Bell in front of a portrait of David Bowie which was purchased by the singer.

The mount is signed by Bell to the bottom.

View the catalogue entry for these Tin Machine Polaroids on thesaleroom.com.

5. Scary Monsters album concept

‘Scary Monsters’ diptych by Edward Bell – estimated at £400-600 at Halls.

This diptych by Edward Bell was a concept design for David Bowie Scary Monsters album from 1980. A mixed media collage, it is signed and dated '80, and inscribed 'Bowie/David'.

It is estimated at £400-600.

View the catalogue entry for this Edward Bell concept design on thesaleroom.com.