David Bowie's handwritten lyrics to Jean Genie sell for £46,000 at Newton-Le-Willows auction

A set of David Bowie's handwritten lyrics have sold for £46,000 at auction.

The lyrics for his track The Jean Genie, dated 1972, were originally given by Bowie to superfan and founder of the David Bowie fan club Neal Peters.

The song, which was released as the lead single from his sixth studio album Aladdin Sane, tells the story of Jean Genie who "snuck off to the city, strung out on lasers".

Following the sale by Omega Auctions, in Newton-Le-Willows, auctioneer Paul Fairweather said: "We're well pleased with the price achieved for this historic set of lyrics."

The lyrics are written over 18 lines on a piece of A4 lined paper, which is also titled, signed and dated by Bowie.

American fan Mr Peters founded the inaugural David Bowie fan club, based in New York City, in 1973 and was subsequently given the lyrics by his idol.

The lyrics are also accompanied by a 2009 letter on Neal Peters Collection stationery, detailing how Bowie gave Mr Peters the lyrics, along with several photocopied documents relating to the Bowie fan club and Mr Peters.

Omega Auctions auction manager Dan Hampson said "The vendor has been in possession of this incredible set for a few years and decided to sell after seeing the amazing price achieved when we sold the Starman lyrics last year."

In September last year music and entertainment specialists Omega Auctions also sold a set of lyrics written by Bowie for his hit Starman for £200,000.

The song, which featured on the Ziggy Stardust concept album, which catapulted Bowie into international rock and pop stardom, was released as a single in 1972.

David Bowie died aged 69 on January 10, 2016.

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