News

Crossroads Guitar Auction – 24 June 2004

25 Jun 04

Five years ago, on 24 June 1999, Christie’s New York auctioned off a selection of Eric Clapton’s guitars which raised over $5 million for the Crossroads Centre in Antigua. This evening – 24 June 2004, Christie’s presented the sequel by selling the cream of Eric Clapton’s collection along with instruments donated by his musician friends. The 88 lots in this 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) will also benefit the Centre.

The guitar which earned the most interest, as expected, was Clapton’s legendary 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 – Clapton’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)

The next issue of Where’s Eric! will feature a detailed article on the auction and it?s subsidiary events. In the meanwhile, here is a list of the lots sold and their final selling price (which includes the buyer’s premium). The Top 10 sellers are in bold.

Lot #1 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 0-18 (1898) $35,850
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000)

Lot #2 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 0-18 (1944) $23,900
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000)

Lot #3 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 0-16NY (1961) $19,120
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)

Lot #4 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 0-21 (1925) $15,535
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,000 -$6,000)

Lot #5 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 0-27 (1915) $35,850
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $5,000 – $7,000)

Lot #6 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 00-21 (1966) $89,625
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000)
A gift to Eric from George Harrison to Eric Clapton

Lot # 7 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 00-17 (1948) $20,315
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,500 – $3,500)

Lot #8 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 0-45 (1915) $31,070
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000)

Lot #9 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 00-45 (1929) $71,700
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000)

Lot #10 – C.F. Martin & Company Style F-7/28 (’35-’73) $44,215
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000)
The Andy Guitar – converted from arch-top to flat-top

Lot #11 – C.F. Martin & Company Style J-40BK (1994) $21,510
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)

Lot #12 – C.F. Martin & Company Style J-40-12 Custom (1994) $45,410
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000)
Used by EC in recording From The Cradle

Lot #13 C.F. Martin & Company Sytle D-28 (1948) $50,190
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000)
Used at Music For Montserrat benefit concert

Lot #14 – David Russell Young Dreadnought (1978) $31,070
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000)

Lot #15 – Dana Bourgeois Model D-150 (circa 1996) $3,107
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $2,000)
Donated by Dan Tyminski

Lot #16 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 000-28/45 Conversion (1966) $186,700
(Pre-Sale Estimate $20,000 – $30,000)
The Longworth

Lot #17 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 000-28EC (2002) $28,680
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000)
Purchased by EC for use at Concert For George Rehearsals

Lot #18 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 000-42ECB (2000) $71,700
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $15,000 – $20,000)
Used on a number of recordings, including the "Reptile" Album

Lot #19 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 000-42 (1939) $791,500
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $60,000 – $80,000
Main instrument used for EC?s MTV Unplugged appearance. WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A MARTIN GUITAR

Lot #20 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 000-42 (1939) $113,525
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $35,000 – $55,000)
Home and studio guitar

Lot #21 – William B. Tilton Style Grade 2 (circa 1865) $26,290
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)
The Ligvoder Strut

Lot #22 – Dobro by The Regal Company (late 1930s) $62,140
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000
Used by EC at The White House and Pilgrim Tour of Japan 1999

Lot #23 – Dobro Model R-5 Duolian (1989) $14,340
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $1,500)
Hawaiin motif

Lot #24 – Tacoma ?Papoose? (1998) $2,032
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $2,000)
Donated by Eric Johnson

Lot #25 – Jose Ramirez III Classical Guitar (1992) $28,680
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $7,000 – $9,000)
Used by EC on Pilgrim and other 1990s recordings

Lot #26 – Fernandez Gerundino Flamenco Guitar (1976) $16,730
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $6,000 – $8,000)
Purchased by EC for use at Concert For George Rehearsals

Lot #27 – Robert S. Ruck Classical Guitar (1975) $7,768
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000)

Lot #28 – Guitarras Alhambra / Contemporary Flamenco Guitar $14,340 (Pre-Sale Estimate: $800 – $1,200)

Lot #29 – Juan Alvarez Classical Guitar (1977) $253,900 (Pre-Sale Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000)
Donated by Giorgio Armani, used by EC in filming the "Tears In Heaven" video

Lot #30 – Coppertone / Brian Knight Acoustic Steel String Guitar $10,158
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $1,500)
Back is copper sheeting and engraved with the figure of a knight

Lot #31 – Maurice Dupont Model MD-30 (1995) $7,170
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000)

Lot #32 – George Lowden Model 038 (circa 1996) $41,825 (Pre-Sale Estimate: $5,000 – $7,000)
Used by EC at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony NYC

Lot #33 – Anthony C. Zemaitis 12-String Guitar (1969) $253,900
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000)
"Ivan The Terrible" Co-designed by Eric Clapton

Lot #34 – Gibson L-5 (1929) $27,485
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000)

Lot #35 – Gibson ?34 L-5 Custom Shop (1997) $23,900 (Pre-Sale Estimate: $6,000 – $8,000)
Used by EC when recording "Pilgrim"

Lot #36 – Gibson L-75 (1935) $9,560
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)

Lot #37 – Gibson L-5 Premier (circa 1948) $15,535
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $12,000 – $18,000)
Studio use primarily by Andy Fairweather Low who was in EC’s band from 1992 – 2003.

Lot #38 – Gibson L-5-P / CES Conversion (1948) $101,575
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000)

Lot #39 – Gibson L-5-CES (1956)$65,725
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $15,000 -$20,000
Used as a spare for EC’s main Gibson L-5

Lot #40 – Gibson ES-350T (1956) $65,725
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $8,000 – $12,000)
Used by EC on the Nothing But The Blues Tour

Lot #41 – Gibson ES-335 TDC $847,500
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $60,000 – $80,000)
The Cherry Red Gibson, owned and used extensively by EC since 1964. WORD AUCTION RECORD FOR A GIBSON GUITAR / THIRD HIGHEST PRICE FOR GUITAR

Lot #42 – Gibson ES335 DOT/CH $5,378
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)
Donated by Otis Rush

Lot #43 – Gibson Custom Shop ES-336 (1996) $8,365
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)

Lot #44 – Gibson BB King Lucille Model (2003) $23,900 (Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)
Donated by BB King and Gibson Guitars

Lot #45 0 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul (circa 2001) $52,580
Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000)
Played by EC at the Rose Garden Arena, Portland 2001

Lot #46 – Gibson Les Paul Studio (1992) $23,900 (Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $2,000)
Donated by Brian May, signed by artists at Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium in 1992

Lot #47 – Gibson SG Pete Townshend Signature Model Prototype (2000) $38,240
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000)
Donated by Pete Townshend, Number 7 of 10

Lot #48 – Gibson Firebird V Re-Issue (1995) $8,963
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $2,000)
Donated by Sonny Landreth

Lot #49 – Gibson Chet Atkins CE (1998) $35,850 (Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)
Used by EC during the 2003 Japan Tour for "Can’t Find My Way Home"

Lot #50 – Ibanez Pat Metheny PM-100NT $7,170 (Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)
Donated by Pat Metheny

Lot #51 – Terry C. McInturff Model TCM Glory Standard Custom (1998) $12,548
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000)

Lot #52 – Gretsch Burgundy Duo Jet (1962) $20,315
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000)

Lot #53 – Valco-Supro Model 1540 Bermuda (1963) $8,365 (Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $2,000)
Donated by Hubert Sumlin

Lot #54 – Ovation Preacher 12-String Model 1285 (1975) $31,070
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000)
Donated by Roger Waters

Lot #55 – Ibanez JEM 7D (circa 2002) $5,378 (Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $2,000)
Donated by Steve Vai

Lot #56 – Ibanez JS 1000 (circa 2003) $16,370
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $2,000)
Donated by Joe Satriani

Lot #57 – Ernie Ball Music Man Albert Lee Model (1997) $11,950
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $2,000
Donated by Albert Lee, his main stage guitar for the last 6 years

Lot #58 – Schecter in the style of a Fender Stratocaster (circa 1980) $50,190
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000
Donated by Marc Knopfler

Lot #59 Tom Anderson Guitarworks – Tom Anderson Classic (1991) $16,370
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000)
Donated by Carlos Santana

Lot #60 – Valley Art Guitar Classic Pro Model (circa 1984) $7,768
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $2,000
Donated by Larry Carlton

Lot #61 – Robin Octave Double Neck (circa 1981 ? 1982) $45,410
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000)
Donated by Jimmie Vaughan

Lot #62 – Crossroads Hard Rock Café … Eric Clapton Autographed Poster $3,107
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $400 – $600)

Lot #63 – Crossroads  Hard Rock Café …Eric Clapton Autographed Poster $4,183
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $400 – $600)

Lot #64 – Gianni Versace Stage Suit (two-piece, purple) $4,541
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $800 – $1,200)
Worn onstage by EC in the 1990s

Lot #65 – Gianni Versace Stage Suit (three-piece, ivory) $28,680
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000
Worn onstage by EC in the 1990s

Lot #66 – Gianni Versace Stage Suit (two-piece, black and cream) $19,120
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $800 – $1,200)
Worn onstage by EC in the 1990s

Lot #67 – Gianni Versace / Fender Guitar Strap (circa early 1990s) $10,158
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $400 – $600
Intricate design of black and clear rhinestones

Lot #68 – Gianni Versace / Ernie Ball Guitar Strap (circa early 1990s)$10,158
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $400 – $600
Stripes of black and clear rhinestones

Lot #69 – Fender Stratocaster  Master Built Production Sample (circa 1996) $186,700
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $8,000 – $12,000)
Black finish – one of EC’s main stage guitars between 1998 – 1999

Lot #70 – Fender Electric Mandolin (1957) $11,950
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000)

Lot #71 – Fender Twin Amp Model 5F8-4 (circa 1958) $23,900
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)

Lot #72 – Fender Jazzmaster (1958) $15,535
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $5,000 – $7,000)

Lot #73 – Fender Composite Stratocaster (circa 1959 and 1960s) $41,825
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $4,000)
Rosewood fingerboard

Lot #74 – Fender Telecaster Lefty with A B-Bender (2000) $10,158
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $2,000)
Donated by Doyle Bramhall II

Lot #75 – Fender Telecaster (1967) $50,190
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $4,000)
The Virginia Telecaster

Lot #76 – Fender Stratocaster (1979) $16,730
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)
Donated by J.J. Cale

Lot #77 – Fender Stratocaster ?The Strat? (circa 1980) $21,510
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 -$3,000)
Donated by Jimmy Page

Lot #78 – Fender Stratocaster Custom Built by J.W. Black (1993) $22,705
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000)
Aluminum body (chambered) in mirror finish – prototype

Lot #79 – Fender Stratocaster 50th Anniversary Issue Master Built (1996) $455,500
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $8,000 – $12,000)
Eric Clapton Signature Model, 23 carat gold leaf finish. Was EC’s main stage guitar during 1997.

Lot #80 – Fender Stratocaster Custom Shop (1994) $13,145
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000)
Olympic White with numerous signatures – presentation guitar from T.J. Martell Foundation and MTV

Lot #81 – Fender Stratocaster Eric Clapton Signature Model (1997) $16,730
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000)
Body has Volkswagen Sound Foundation logo accompanied by 1998 tour memorabilia created by VW

Lot #82 – Fender Stratocaster (circa 1985) $16,730
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $1,000 – $2,000)
Donated by Robert Cray – used extensively on stage and in the film Hail Hail Rock N Roll

Lot #83 – Fender Composite Stratocaster (circa 1965 and later) $623,500
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $15,000 – $20,000)
?Lenny? – Donated by Jimmie Vaughan from the Estate of Stevie Ray Vaughan and used by SRV throughout his career. This is the only personal guitar of SRV to be released by the Estate into the public domain. SECOND HIGHEST PRICE FOR A FENDER STRATOCASTER

Lot #84 – Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster Stevie Ray Vaughan Relic (2004) $41,825
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $6,000 – $8,000)
Donated by Jimmie Vaughan and Fender – replica of SRV’s Number One

Lot #85 – Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster (2000) $220,300
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $7,000 – $9,000)
Iridescent purple / blue finish – used on stage by EC during 2001

Lot #86 – Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster (1988) $231,500
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000)
Eric Clapton Signature Model black. EC’s main stage guitar between 1990 and 1993

Lot #87 – Fender Stratocaster Master Built Crash Concept Model (2004) $321,100
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $8,000 – $12,000)
Third guitar painted by grafitti artist, Crash, for EC’s personal collection of graffiti starts. Used from 15 March 04 to a concert the night before the auction

Lot #88 – Fender Composite Stratocaster (circa 1956 and 1957) $959,500
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $100,000 – $150,000)
Blackie – The guitar most famously associated with Eric Clapton. He has referred to this guitar as being "part of him." Blackie was practically his sole stage and studio guitar from late 1970 to 1985. Occasionally used in the 1990s. WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A GUITAR