Several of Sir Elton's photographs of himself are included in the sale

Sir Elton began collecting photographs in 1991 and it is now considered one of the leading private collections.

He decided to sell off some of them in order to diversify his collection.

Among the items on sale at Christie's in New York on 14 October are works by Edward Steichen, Robert Mapplethorpe and Ansel Adams.

Among the 4,000 photographs in Sir Elton's collection are 20th Century modernist works and contemporary images.

"A periodic assessment of any collection is a productive and necessary exercise," said Josh Holderman, Christie's international director of the Photographic Department.

"The sale of certain acquisitions from time to time often proves a very useful endeavour, ensuring the collection's continued integrity."

Flamoboyant wardrobe

Work by Robert Mapplethorpe will be sold off

Highlights include Ansel Adam's Tetons and Snake River, which has an estimated high of $45,000 (�25,0285), a print by sculptor Constantine Brancusi, expected to reach $15,000 (�8,345).

Works by Robert Mapplethorpe, Irving Penn and John Dugdale are also included in the sale.

There are also two prints of Sir Elton John taken early on in his career by British fashion photographer Norman Parkinson.

Sir Elton is no stranger to clearing out his possession, regularly selling-off clothes from his flamboyant wardrobe for charity.

He also sold all the fixtures and fittings from his London home in order to redecorate.