Christie’s concluded a historic single-owner online sale DJ Kool Herc & The Birth of Hip Hop, a selection of items from the collection of DJ Kool Herc, the Father of Hip Hop. The auction saw lively and spirited bidding to the very end, achieving a total of $ 851,130 across the 169 lots, selling 162% above the low estimate.

The sale was led by Herc’s Iconic Sound System with Turntables, Mixer, GLI Amplifier, Speaker Cabinets, and Original Folding Table used during parties in the Rec Room at 1520 Sedgwick Ave in the Bronx thrown by DJ Kool Herc and his sister Cindy Campbell. The lot surpassed its high estimate of $150,000 to achieve $201,600. The HERCULOID Speaker Cabinets also realized a phenomenal price, selling for $107,100.

The extensive holdings of hip-hop fliers in the sale experienced an unprecedented depth of bidding. The earliest known Handwritten Invitation To A Rec Room Party at 1520 Sedgwick sold for $27,720, far above its low estimate of $3,000. Two Flyers For DJ Kool Herc Events At The Hevelow sold for $35,280—over ten times the estimate of $2,000-3,000—and received an incredible 46 bids. The sale saw success across all categories, from fashion to entertainment memorabilia

Kool Herc’s Personal Copy of the Script for the Film Beat Street (estimate: $3,000-5000) and a Disco Ball from 1520 Segwick Ave (estimate: $6,000-8,000) each achieved $37,800, and A Stetson Hat Worn in the Movie Beat Street realized $35,280—over seven times its high estimate of $5,000.

DJ Kool Herc and Cindy Campbell remark, “This experience has been both humbling and uplifting to see our story shared across the world. We want to thank Christie’s for everything they’ve done and the fans who supported the auction. We are very much looking forward to continuing Herc’s legacy through the culture of Hip- Hop in the years to come.”

Darius Himes, Christie’s International Head of Photographs, remarks, “From day one, Christie’s has been thrilled to handle this collection. It has been deeply satisfying for everyone on this team to amplify and celebrate the creative contributions that Kool Herc, and by extension, so many other Black Americans have made to what has become a global culture.”

Peter Klarnet, Christie’s Senior Specialist, Americana, Books & Manuscripts, remarks, “We’re so honored to have been entrusted with such an important historic collection—one that illuminates the birth and early history behind what has grown into a global phenomenon.”

2 TECHNICS SL-1100A TURNTABLES; A GLI 3880 MIXER WITH GLI 1000 EQUALIZER; A MCINTOSH MC-2300 STEREO POWER AMPLIFER; 2 SPEAKER CABINETS WITH 6 INCH SPEAKER ARRAY; 2 SUBWOFFER CABINETS AND FOLDING TABLE VARIOUS, MID 1970S PRICE REALIZED: $201,600

8 CHANNEL MODEL 850 MIXER WITH TWO MODEL 804 TRANDUCER SPEAKER CABINETS PRICE REALIZED: $107,100

A 12 INCH DISCO BALL FROM 1520 SEDGWICK AVENUE UNKNOWN, CA. 1970 PRICE REALIZED: $37,800

A STETSON HAT WORN IN THE MOVIE BEAT STREET, 1984 PRICE REALIZED: $35,280

Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had auction sales in the first half of 2019 that totalled £2.2 billion / $2.8 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and international expertise. Christie’s offers around 350 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectables, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War & Contemporary, Impressionist & Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery.

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