Duke Ellington's white baby-grand piano is Top Lot among nearly 300 possessions of the late jazz legend on offer today in New York City. It could fetch up to a million dollars. Other lots include Ellington's Pulitzer Prize for Music, his own oil paintings, hand-written sheet music, and a diamond pocket-watch.

Guernsey's auction house is holding the sale at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, the area of New York City where Ellington resided.

It was on this white baby grand that Ellington is said to have composed the hits "Sophisticated Lady", "In a Sentimental Mood", and "It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing".

Duke Ellington's white baby-grand piano is Top Lot among nearly 300 possessions of the late jazz legend on offer today in New York City.

"These items were the property of Duke's sister, Ruth. They remained in her apartment for half a century, many things on display in a shrine-like setting to her late brother. But once she passed on, they went into storage, and the family have seen fit to now offer them to the world, for the world to enjoy it," said Arlan Ettinger, president of Guernsey's.

According to the auction house, the piano could bring in as much as $1 million (USD), but there are no reserves placed on any of the items.

Other significant lots include artwork both collected and created by Ellington.

"Many people didn't realize that Duke loved to paint. And there are not many oil paintings of his work known to survive, but we have several in this auction, including a portrait he did of his great friend and associate, Billy Strayhorn. We also have a portrait of a woman that he labelled 'Satin Doll', which many will remember is the title of one of his most famous songs," Arlan Ettinger said.

Ellington's Pulitzer Prize for Music, and a diamond pocket watch gifted to his father, are also available for purchase, along with custom-made suits and tuxedos, and handwritten sheet music.