Clapton Guitar Auction Raises $1.7m

Clapton fansite Where's Eric reports that yesterday Bonhams New York conducted a 4 hour sale of 138 lots to aid Crossroads Centre in Antigua, an addiction recovery facility which was founded by Eric Clapton in 1998. Two vieiwing rooms in New York City were jam-packed with bidders, as was the Los Angeles salesroom which participated by a simulcast. Additionally, there were additional bidders online and on the phone.

Competition to acquire guitars, amplifiers, gold records and awards from rock legend Eric Clapton and instruments donated by musician friends Jeff Beck, JJ Cale and Joe Bonamassa was fierce. The sale was 100% sold and the hammer price for all lots totaled $1,767,977.

Many items went for double their high estimate, but what was most surprising were the amounts garnered by the gold record awards and BMI certificates. The RIAA Certified Gold Discs for Me And Mr. Johnson and Journeyman each sold for an astounding $32,000 as did the Special Citatation of Achievement presented to Clapton for "Tears In Heaven." Of Clapton's guitars on offer, the key items were the following:

2008 Martin D-12-28 - $58,000
2005 Zemaitis Custom Acoustic - $50,000
2005 Semaitis S22BP 3S - $62,000
1948 Gibson L5P - $68,000
2008 Daphne Blue Fender Stratocaster Eric Clapton Signature Model - $42,000

From the group of guitars donated by his musician friends to support the Crossroads Centre, Joe Bonamassa's Fender Stratocaster with gold sparkle finish was the highlight, selling for $30,000.Of the amplifiers in the auction, a pair of 1988 Soldano SLO-100 with Pete Cornish Routing System and Marshall 1960B speaker cabinets netted $27,000. A 1957 Twin Amplifier sold for an astounding $32,000. A Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 Limited Edition Poster printed on wood and autographed by 19 of the musicians who performed at the festival sold for $8,000.

(Where's Eric)