Sotheby's Auctions Tupac's Love Letters

On August 25, 2020, Sotheby’s announced its first dedicated hip-hop auction. As reported by Rolling Stone and Billboard, the auction was scheduled to take place on September 15 in New York. The catalog comprised more than 120 lots spanning from the late 1970s to the present day: artifacts, art, photography, fashion, jewelry, and posters. Sotheby’s organized the auction together with Monica Lynch, the former president of Tommy Boy Records.

22 Love Letters for up to $80,000

Among the two headline lots were The Notorious B.I.G.’s crown from his 1997 “King of New York” photoshoot and an archive of 22 handwritten love letters that Tupac wrote at age 16 to his high school girlfriend. The house estimated the letters at $60,000 to $80,000.

Buyer’s Fees for Building Beats

Most pieces came directly from artists or their estates. A portion of the buyer’s premium went to the organization Building Beats, which supports young people through tech and DJ programs. The letters date from Tupac’s youth. More about this period can be found in the biography.