On June 24, 1999, Christie's New York organized A Selection of Eric Clapton's Guitars ~ In Aid of the Crossroads Centre, a sale that became legendary overnight. Exactly five years later, on June 24, 2004, Christie's will present the sequel when a group of 56 guitars, described by Eric Clapton as "the cream of my collection," as well as instruments donated by musician friends such as Pete Townshend, will be offered. Featuring iconic instruments such as 'Blackie' and the cherry-red 1964 Gibson ES-335, Crossroads Guitar Auction ~ Eric Clapton and Friends for the Crossroads Centre, promises to be a worthy successor to the seminal 1999 sale. The proceeds of the sale will benefit the Crossroads Centre in Antigua. Referring to the selection of guitars that will be offered in this sale, Eric Clapton said: "These guitars are in fact the ones that I kept back from the first auction because I seriously couldn't consider parting with them at that point ... I think they are a really good representation of Rock Culture ... all great Rock and Blues guitars."
 

                                            'Blackie'
     One of the most illustrious guitars to come up for sale is undoubtedly 'Blackie,' the composite Fender Stratocaster, circa 1956, which in Eric Clapton's own words "has become part of me" (estimate: $100,000-150,000). 'Blackie' features in the league of superstar instruments that are practically alter egos of their players. The guitar is uniquely personal to Eric Clapton since he created the instrument himself, combining different components from three separate Stratocasters purchased in Nashville in 1970. Clapton has tremendous affection for this guitar, and had an intense working relationship with Blackie throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. 'Blackie' also served as the template for the 'Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster' - custom guitars produced by Fender in collaboration with Clapton - which went into production in 1988. Included in the sale is the very first black version, used by Clapton extensively from 1990 onwards, and well known to Clapton fans (estimate: $8,000-12,000).


 

                                      
                                         Gibson ES-335
     A credible rival to 'Blackie' in stellar ranking is Clapton's 1964 cherry-red Gibson ES-335. This famous Gibson is the second electric guitar Eric Clapton ever bought, and as such it is the one he has owned the longest and is most sentimental about (estimate: $60,000-80,000). His interest in this type of guitar was initially triggered by a record cover featuring Blues legend Freddy King with a similar model. As soon as Clapton had saved up enough money playing with the Yardbirds, he bought this Gibson. For Clapton this guitar represented "...a Rock guitar and a Blues guitar ... The 'Real Thing.'" Although most fans associate the ES-335 with his days with Cream, Clapton actually used this guitar throughout his remarkable career, from his time with the Yardbirds until today. He says of it: "No other tool in my life has been as long-serving." The guitar will be offered with its case, which has the word 'Cream' and the initials 'EC G ES' stenciled in white paint on the exterior.
 

                                                     
                                                     'Crash 3'
     A very recent history, although a colorful one, is that of 'Crash 3,' Clapton's newest graffiti Fender Stratocaster (estimate: $4,000-6,000). This guitar is currently being used by Clapton and will feature prominently in the European Tour and Crossroads Festival this spring. It was designed by the famous street-artist Crash with a vividly colorful pattern. Eric Clapton first used a Graffiti Stratocaster at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 2001 and they have become his first choice working guitar ever since. This is also the first of Clapton's collection of graffiti guitars to appear on the market.

     Several of the guitars offered for sale carry great stories, revealing Eric Clapton as a man who constantly intertwines daily life with his instruments and vice versa.


     The Who guitarist Pete Townshend, famous and notorious for his wild live performances, is donating a Townshend Signature SG Gibson guitar (estimate: $3,000-5,000). This guitar comes with an extraordinary array of accessories especially created for the new owner, including two guitar cases, a CD recording of Townshend playing the instrument, an official donation letter from Townshend to Clapton, a certificate of the guitar, and a polaroid of Townshend with it.
     Also included is Sonny Landreth's custom 1995 Gibson Firebird (estimate: $1,500-2,500), which he played during the Gibson show at Anaheim NAMM in California in 1997. Landreth used it for 'Turning Wheel' on the 'South of I-10' album and again with John Hiatt and the Goners in 1999.
Other instruments will include Brian May's Les Paul Model guitar (estimate: $1,000-1,500); J.J. Cale's 1979 Stratocaster (estimate: $1,500-2,500); a Gibson ES-335 signed by Otis Rush (estimate: $2,500-3,000); and a Gibson B.B. King Lucille model, signed by King himself (estimate: $1,500-2,000).

 

***This Summer, Auction HD, one of the VOOM HD Originals, further establishes itself in the exciting world of high-profile buying and selling when it airs Christie's Crossroads Guitar Auction: Eric Clapton and Friends for the Crossroads Centre, another episode in their ongoing live series Auction HD L!VE. Auction HD will give fans across the country a "VIP pass" to the "cream" of Clapton's collection. The live high-definition coverage begins at 6pm on Thursday, June 24, 2004.  Telecast in crystal-clear high-definition, Auction HD puts collectors at home in the center of the bidding wars, from the first paddle wave until the final hammer falls.
     "We are thrilled to be working with Christie's to provide auction enthusiasts and novices alike the unique opportunity to witness a world-class sale as if they were actually in the auction house's galleries and salerooms," said George Lansbury, Executive Producer, Auction HD.  "The Eric Clapton Guitar Auction has huge appeal to Clapton fans across the United States and Auction HD is proud to give them "front-row" access to the sale."*****

  
More information about Christie's sale of Crossroads Guitar Auction ~ Eric Clapton and Friends for the Crossroads Centre can be found on www.christies.com. All lots from the sale can be viewed online along with full catalogue descriptions on Lotfinder(r), which also allows clients to leave absentee bids. www.christies.com provides information on more than 80 sale categories, buying and selling at auction, complete auction results, and Christie's international auction calendar.