An informative, historic and entertaining record containing many details of interest to fans and guitar collectors alike. This is the catalog for the sale of Eric Clapton’s guitars on June 24, 2004. Christie’s sold the cream of Eric Clapton’s collection along with instruments donated by his musician friends. The 88 lots in the 2004 sale garnered a record-breaking $7,438,624 million (including buyer’s premium of 19.5% on sales up to $100,000 plus 12% of any amount in excess of $100,000. The proceeds (approximately $6.4 million) benefit the Crossroads Centre Foundation. The foundation funds Crossroads Centre at Antigua, a drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation facility, founded by Eric Clapton in 1997 The guitar which earned the most interest was Eric Clapton’s legendary Fender Stratocaster, Blackie. It sold for a staggering $959,500 (including buyer’s premium). This sale now holds the distinction of the most money paid at auction for a guitar of the rock era. Lot 41 – Eric’s beloved Cherry Red ES335-TDC came in second selling for $847,500 (including buyer’s premium). Rounding out the top 3 was Lot 19 - the 1939 Martin 000-42 which Clapton played on MTV Unplugged. It garnered a staggering $791,500 (including buyer’s premium).
