2004 Eric Clapton Chrisite’s Guitar Auction: Complete Sale Details
2004 Eric Clapton Chrisite’s Guitar Auction: Complete Sale Details
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. On that sale’s fifth anniversary, 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 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 held the distinction of the most money paid at auction for a guitar of the rock era but was surpassed in later years. 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)
List of the lots sold and their final selling price (which includes the buyer’s premium):
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 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 – and played extensively by Andy Fairweather Low during his tenure in Eric Clapton’s band.
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 Eric Clapton during the recording of “From The Cradle”
Lot #13 C.F. Martin & Company Sytle D-28 (1948) $50,190
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000)
Used by Eric Clapton at the Music For Montserrat benefit concert in 1997
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 Eric Clapton 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 by Eric Clapton, including his “Reptile” Album
Lot #19 – C.F. Martin & Company Style 000-42 (1939) $791,500
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $60,000 – $80,000)
Main instrument used by Eric Clapton at the filming of MTV Unplugged in January 1992. This sale set a WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A MARTIN GUITAR at the time.
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 Eric Clapton at The White House and on the 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 Eric Clapton on “Pilgrim” and other 1990s recordings
Lot #26 – Fernandez Gerundino Flamenco Guitar (1976) $16,730
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $6,000 – $8,000)
Purchased by Eric Clapton 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 Eric Clapton 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 Eric Clapton 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” and 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 Eric Clapton 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 guitar used primarily by Andy Fairweather Low who was in Eric Claptons 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 guitar for Eric Clapton’s main Gibson L-5
Lot #40 – Gibson ES-350T (1956) $65,725
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $8,000 – $12,000)
Used by Eric Clapton 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 Eric Clapton from 1964. WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A GIBSON GUITAR / THIRD HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR A GUITAR at the time.
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 B.B. 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 Eric Clapton at the Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon in 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 Eric Clapton 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 Mark 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 РCrossroads РHard Rock Caf̩ EC Autographed Poster $3,107
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $400 – $600)
Lot #63 РCrossroads РHard Rock Caf̩ EC 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 Eric Clapton in the 1990s
Lot #65 – Gianni Versace Stage Suit (three-piece, ivory) $28,680
(Pre-Sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000
Worn onstage by Eric Clapton 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 Eric Clapton 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 Eric Clapton’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. It was Eric Clapton’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 – 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 at the time.
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. Eric Clapton’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 Eric Clapton. Used from 15 March 2004 up until a concert the night before the auction in Albany, New York.
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 at the time.