Sale of collection of Bowie's artwork smashes expectations

In this June 5, 2007 file photo, singer David Bowie accepts the lifetime achievement award at the 11th Annual Webby Awards in New York. (AP / Stephen Chernin)

LONDON - Buyers have snapped up modern artworks collected by David Bowie at a London auction, with a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat selling for more than 7 million pounds ($8.8 million).

The first part of Sotheby's two-part Bowie sale netted 24.3 million pounds ($30.3 million), more than double its pre-sale estimate.

The musician, who died in January aged 69, was a passionate collector of modern art.

The top lot, Basquiat's "Air Power," sold for 7.1 million pounds ($8.8 million).

Frank Auerbach's painting "Head of Gerda Boehm" sold for 3.8 million pounds ($4.7 million), 10 times its estimate and a record for the artist.

Sotheby's said Thursday's auction was a "white glove sale," meaning every lot was sold. Bids came from 47 countries.

More of Bowie's collection is due to be auctioned Friday.