Sotheby’s is about to make history next month when they host the first international Hip Hop auction at it’s New York City location.
Starting September 15, the auction house will be showcasing numerous artworks and memorabilia with ties to artists from the late 1970s through present day, including the iconic “King of New York” crown that the Notorious B.I.G. wore during a 1997 portrait session—the rapper’s last recorded photo shoot before he was shot and killed in Los Angeles three days later.
Once again I can’t judge an auction for shit because these people are estimating Big’s Crown will go for between $200,000 – $300,000. I would have easily set it in the $1-$2 million range. It’s Hip Hop historic.
Crown worn by Notorious B.I.G. Signed by Biggie Smalls and signed and inscribed by photographer Barron Claiborne.Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Another noteworthy item included in the auction is a collection of love letters written by 16-year-old Tupac Shakur to his high school sweetheart Kathy Loy—an item that is projected to bring in an estimated $60,000 to $80,000. There are a total of 42 pages on 24 sheets of paper, as well as one greeting card, all of which are signed off endearingly by the late rapper: “Love, Tupac,” “With Passion, Tupac,” “4 Eternity, Tupac.”
