Letters to Tony Bennett from Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Martin Luther King Jr. to be auctioned

A collection of personal mementoes from the late Tony Bennett, including letters, photographs, and more, is set to be auctioned by Julien’s Auctions on April 18. The auction, titled Tony Bennett: A Life Well-Lived, will feature a collection made up of rarities addressed to Bennett from icons such as Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Madonna, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Quincy Jones, and Barbra Streisand, among others.

The highlight of the collection is a typewritten thank-you letter from Martin Luther King Jr. to Bennett, dated April 5, 1965, estimated to be worth between $20,000 and $30,000. In this letter, King expresses gratitude to Bennett for his participation in the historic Selma civil rights march to Montgomery and mentions his mentioning his “good friend, Harry Belafonte” who told King of the difficulty Bennett had in rearranging his schedule to perform.

The auction will also feature personal notes from five former U.S. presidents to Bennett, along with original paintings and sketches by the singer. One notable item includes a “never before seen” book of letters given to Bennett on his 75th birthday in 2001.

Among the correspondences are heartfelt messages from former Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Donald Trump, reflecting on their admiration for Bennett and his impact on American culture.

Bennett, known for his masterful career as a pop vocalist spanning eight decades, primarily recorded for Columbia Records, which signed him in 1950. He passed away on July 21, 2023, at the age of 96, following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. Despite his health struggles, Bennett continued to perform and record until 2021.

Danny Bennett, Tony’s son and longtime manager, stated, “It is astonishing to have the opportunity to view all these items in a collection such as this, which represent Tony’s remarkable life, but also embody a part of our shared American history.”

“Beyond his musical legacy, which is unparalleled and will continue to remain relevant, his lifetime of positive engagement impacted so many people and events. He did everything with such artistry, compassion and integrity which is a testament to the extraordinary person he was each and every day.”

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse attend the after-show party for Tony Bennett’s concert at Royal Albert Hall on July 1, 2010, in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)

David Goodman, CEO of Julien’s Auctions, also said, “The world was blessed beyond words to have had the incomparable Tony Bennett in it. He changed the world with his artistry, humanitarianism, and one-of-a-kind voice that transcended generations. Julien’s is honoured to represent his Estate and celebrate Mr Bennett’s extraordinary legacy at this once-in-a-lifetime auction event at Jazz at Lincoln Center with exhibitions at two cities that were most dear to his heart, New York and San Francisco.”

The two-day auction event will take place on April 18 and 19 at Lincoln Center in New York City. Before the auction, the items will be on exhibit from April 8 to 10 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco and Lincoln Center from April 10 to 16.