Click Here to read more about The Tom Fontaine Elton John Collection presented in this auction.
Please Note: A portion of the proceeds from sale of the Elton John lots, 229–281, will be donated to The Elton John Aids Foundation.
Oferred is an oversized "T. Anthony LTD." brand traveling trunk, which based on the name tag attached belonged to one "Sir Humphrey Handbag." This, of course, is one of the pseudonyms employed during travel and concert tours by none other than Elton John. The reverse of the tag has the name, address and phone number of his management company "John Reid Enterprises." Most interestingly is the personalized leather nameplate on the top of the trunk with the initials "E.H.J." of his real name, Elton Hercules John. The bag is most-likely of 1980s vintage, perhaps could be bit older. Images do show Elton using these style trunks in the year 1990, but he certainly could have used luggage of this caliber for some time.
Accompanying the trunk is a copy of a magazine clipping of a quippy caption with a photo of Elton John walking through Heathrow airport. "Elton looks trim, but he doesn't travel lightly" the caption proclaims. Elton is pictured looking great (wearing a Destroy brand shirt offered in this auction, no less!), but the inset photo actually shows an airport cart overflowing with several of these EXACT TRUNKS! It is more than likely this very trunk is pictured! Other photos of Elton in that "Destroy" cap are dated to 1990.
Antother magazine clipping's headline reads "An El-ton of luggage," and it features an even better image of the same airport sighting. (see image at left) It can be seen on the T. Anthony LTD. website. The website caption reads "No one can ever accused rocker Elton John of Traveling light! The British press reported many years ago. He was spotted leaving the London's Heathrow Airport for a California vacation with no-less than 42 suitcases." T. Anthony LTD. is a luxury luggage brand with many famous clients such as Marilyn Monroe, Jackie O., Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. As their website states in reference to the couple that scandalized the British monarchy, "Many people questioned the relationship between the British royal and the American divorcee. But no one questioned their impeccable taste in luggage." Indeed.
The trunk measures 32 x 20 x 11 inches and presents with expected signs of heavy use during travel and touring, including scuffs, scratches to the body and leather edging and some small stains. The trunk's keyholes will come with tape over them, because the keys are not present. Excellent condition overall, while the interior is better condition.