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Guitar from Eric Clapton’s Major Auction Emerges for Sale After More Than 20 Years in Private Collection

UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / April 30, 2020 / When Eric Clapton decided to sell 100 of his favourite personal guitars to raise money to establish a drug treatment centre, this late 1930s Gibson Kalamazoo was among them.


That event at Christie’s New York in 1999 provided the first endowment of $4.5 million of the Crossroads Foundation, which funded a drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation facility Clapton founded in Antigua in two years earlier.




According to reports, “Eric Clapton bought this guitar in Memphis primarily for collecting rather than playing purposes. He did tell us however that it was “..around...” during the Pilgrim recording sessions.’


More than 20 years on, Clapton fans have another chance to bid online for the guitar during the Entertainment, Memorabilia & Movie Props Auction, which will be held behind closed doors at Ewbank’s in Surrey on May 21.


With a magnificent sunburst finish, the Gibson Kalamazoo, Serial No. 38816, comes with a case, strap and even a copy of the invoice supplied to the purchaser by Christie’s in 1999.


The estimate is £10,000-15,000.


“After more than 20 years of it being hidden away in a private collection, this is a rare opportunity to acquire an amazing instrument owned by a legend of rock music – ranked in the top five of all of the serious lists of greatest guitarists of all time,” says Ewbank’s Partner and specialist Alastair McCrea.

About Us

Ewbanks Auctions

 

Ewbanks are the Premier International Antiques and Fine Art Valuers and Auctioneers covering Surrey and South London, holding quarterly Fine Auctions; and regular specialist sales of Jewellery, Silver, Clocks, Watches and Instruments, Fine Art, Ceramics, Antique Furniture and Works of Art. We also hold specialist auctions throughout the year, including Entertainment and Memorabilia, 20th Century Art and Design, Asian Art, Militaria, Garden and Architectural, Textiles, Fine Wine and others. Ewbank's also hold monthly Antique and Collectors' auctions. As Surrey's leading independent auctioneers we pride ourselves on being a family firm providing the best service, knowledge and expertise.

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Ivan Macquisten

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Phone: +44 07842 201292