Eric Clapton fans and collectors will be interested to hear that a selection of the artist's stage, studio and rehearsal guitars will be auctioned at Christie's New York next June. The auction, which is the largest single-owner sale of guitars associated with a living rock star, is to raise funds for the Crossroads Centre, a drug and alcohol treatment facility on the Caribbean island of Antigua founded by Clapton and opened last October.
The auction on June 24th which is expected to realise more than $750,000 (€682,998) will see 100 of Clapton's guitars offered for sale for estimates ranging from $1,000 to $120,000.
Clapton said he wanted to "make a gesture to draw attention to the Crossroads Centre and demonstrate the extent of my personal commitment". He believed the auction "finally gives me a chance to share with others the instruments that have given me so much pleasure throughout my career".
According to Ms Carey Wallace, consultant to the pop, film and entertainment department at Christie's in London, the most significant guitar in the New York sale is "Brownie", Clapton's 1956 sunburst Fender Stratocaster. Although chipped, scratched and cigarette-burned, it is one of his favourite guitars and it's expected to realise $75,000 to $120,000. He used it extensively over many years at recordings and concerts and it is particularly associated with one of his most famous compositions, Layla ("got me on my knees Layla").
A rare Gibson Explorer guitar with an unusual look - "like a streak of lightening in shape - which is very valuable in its own right, will also be in the auction. We expect it to realise in excess of $100,000," says Ms Wallace. One of only 19 released commercially in 1958, Clapton acquired it in the 1980s and played it on the Arms Tour in 1987.
One of Clapton's main acoustic guitars, a 1974 Martin 000-28 steel string, will also be auctioned. He used it extensively from the mid-1970s onwards and it is estimated at $15,000 to $23,000. Ms Wallace reports that Clapton says it was very important to him: "It went everywhere with him and never left his side. He used it for composing, playing on stage and at home."
Other highlights include a 1952 Fender Telecaster much used by Clapton in the 1970s. Given to him by Carl Radle, bass player in Clapton's group, Derek and the Dominos, it is expected to fetch $15,000 to $23,000, she says.
A 1990s Fender Stratocaster Eric Clapton "Blackie" model, custom-made with gold-plated hardware is expected to fetch $7,500 to $11,000. Described by Ms Wallace as a "one-off", she says it's the only one in the world with gold-plated hardware. A 1959 Gibson ES-335 in a sunburst finish used by Clapton for recordings and concerts in the 1990s is included in the auction (estimate $15,000 to $20,000). He has been associated with this model of guitar since his early days with the band, Cream.
Meanwhile, a 1956 Gibson ES350TN has an estimate of $12,000 to $18,000. Clapton bought this instrument as a tribute to Chuck Berry. He used it in concert with Berry, as well as at recordings in the 1980s.
The Crossroads Centre in Antigua is an international non-profit 36-bed residential rehabilitation centre for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction. One third of the treatment beds are reserved for people of the Caribbean through a financially subsidised programme underwritten by the Crossroads Foundations in Europe, the US and Antigua, says Christie's.
Viewing takes place at Christie's London from June 1st-3rd, in Los Angeles from June 10th-13th and in New York from June 18th-23rd. The auction in New York begins at 2 p.m. on June 24th.
Readers are welcome to contact Ms Carey Wallace. Telephone 0044 171 321 3275.
