Notorious B.I.G.’s Crown, Tupac Shakur’s love letters headed to Sotheby’s auction

New York Post – Tupac Shakur’s teenage love letters and the Notorious B.I.G.’s “King of New York” crown are two of the top lots up for sale at the first Sotheby’s auction dedicated fully to hip-hop, taking place Sept. 15 in New York.

The auction will feature more than 120 items spanning hip-hop’s history, from its late-1970s origins through its mid-1980s to mid-1990s “Golden Age,” up to the present day. Per a statement, there will be a mix of “iconic artifacts, contemporary art, one-of-a-kind experiences, fine art and vernacular photography.” There will also be “vintage and modern fashion, historic and newly designed jewelry and luxury items, rare ephemera including flyers and posters and more.” A portion of Sotheby’s buyer premium will be donated to Building Beats, a non-profit that teaches tech, entrepreneurial and leadership skills to underserved kids through DJ and music programs.

The inside of the crown worn by Notorious B.I.G. is inscribed, signed and dated 3/6/97.Courtesy Sotheby’s