Fans of the late Stephen Sondheim, the lyricist and composer behind musicals like "Into the Woods" and "Sweeney Todd," will soon have an opportunity to purchase pieces of his legacy at an upcoming auction.

Doyle's Auction House is preparing to showcase items from Sondheim’s estate in an auction set to take place early next week.

What You Need To Know

  • Doyle's Auction House is preparing to showcase items from Sondheim’s estate in an auction set for June 18

  • It will feature more than 450 lots, including an array of memorabilia such as personal photographs, furniture, posters, letters and Sondheim’s music

  • Among the noteworthy items up for auction is Sondheim’s red-bound score for "Gypsy"

It will feature more than 450 lots, including an array of memorabilia such as personal photographs, furniture, posters, letters and Sondheim's music.

Peter Costanzo, who is overseeing The Sondheim Collection at Doyle's Auction House, said items will range from the beginnings of his career to his death at 91 in November 2021.

“We have an early item which is very desirable: the first check he received for a song while he was still in college,” he said. “And things that went through to the very end of his very long career.”

Sondheim’s passion for puzzles and games, a lesser-known aspect of his life, will also be highlighted. Doyle’s Auction House’s Noah Goldrach said potential purchasers will have a rare opportunity to see some he created himself.

"Later in life, starting in the early 1970s, he began collecting board games and decorated his apartment with them,” Goldrach said.

Among the noteworthy items up for auction are Sondheim’s red-bound score for "Gypsy," a musical he co-wrote with Jule Styne, and a ceramic chess set featuring characters from his works, such as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett.

The Sondheim Auction is scheduled for June 18, with both in-person bidding at Doyle Auctioneers and online participation available.