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.
In the world of collectibles, the standee is notoriously elusive, as they rarely survive their promotional tours of duty in the lobbies of theaters and record stores. The offered 1973 MCA Records standee promoting Elton John's LP Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player is a notable exception. The never-used, die-cut display stands an impressive 57 inches tall (by 20 inches wide), with the iconic image of Elton John in full top hat and tails with cane. It still maintains its original standee architecture on the reverse, and it has never been folded for use.
Don't Shoot Me was recorded during a return trip to the French castle where the band had recorded Honky Chateau in 1972, and the mystical setting once again worked its magic, as they cranked out 12 songs in four days. This included the album's big hits "Crocodile Rock and "Daniel." The album's title is a reference to a quip Elton made to Groucho Marx when they met in 1972.
While a gorgeous display piece, it does present with some staining on the reverse and some mild scuffing and scratches to the artwork on the front, and both ends of the fragile, die-cut cane have been reinforced on the back with tape. Excellent to Mint condition.