TAPE_NUMBER: EN9926 IN_TIME: 10:00:07 LENGTH: 03:40 SOURCES: APTN/WARNER MUSIC RESTRICTIONS: No re-use/re-sale film/video clips without clearance FEED: VARIOUS (THE ABOVE TIME-CODE IS TIME-OF-DAY) SCRIPT: xfa RECORD SALE FOR CLAPTON GUITARS Story: Clapton Auction Location: New York Date: June 24 1999 The man who sixties fans called God, has enjoyed a record making sale of some of his personal guitar collection. ERIC CLAPTON had originally put up 100 of his most famous guitars for auction to raise money for his drug rehabilitation project, THE CROSSROADS CENTRE in Antigua. The prices however, far out reached the auctioneer's estimates eventually raising over five million dollars and setting a new record for the price paid for a guitar in auction. The collection included a 1959 Gibson ES-355TD, a guitar associated with Clapton since his early days with the band CREAM. The sale model had a distinctive 'Star burst' finish and was used extensively for his concerts and recordings in the nineties. While auctioneers Christie's had estimated a price of between twenty and thirty thousand dollars, it actually went for nearly eighty thousand, over twice the anticipated bid. Also in the sale was a 1991 Fender Stratocaster Eric Clapton signature model with gold-plated hardware which sold for over sixty thousand dollars, and a distinctive guitar strap designed exclusively for Clapton by the late fashion icon GIANNI VERSACE. Apparently the strap was never used on stage it may have been one item that Clapton was glad to see the back of. A 1959 Gibson explorer sold for one hundred and thirty thousand dollars while his distinctive acoustic Martin 000-28 which was his constant companion through the seventies, sold for a massive one hundred and seventy thousand dollars. The really heavy bidding however was reserved for the final lots with Clapton's 1954 Fender, used for his signature slide guitar playing, reaching over two hundred and ten thousand dollars. A new record was set with the sale of one of Clapton's favourite guitars 'Brownie' a 1956 Fender on which he played his famous introduction to the DEREK and THE DOMINOES song 'Layla'. A anonymous buyer paid nearly half a million dollars to buy up this piece of rock 'n' roll history. " I can't believe it " was Clapton's response, " I am totally overwhelmed. I had no idea the auction would do so well. " Clapton had said that he had wanted to sell the guitars to demonstrate his personal committed to the drugs and alcohol project in Antigua that he opened in 1998. Clapton himself has extensive knowledge of the famous twelve-step process for addicts as his own battle with drink and drugs led to him being hospitalised and spending long periods out of the public eye while battling his addictions. The sale of the guitars is no indication of a slowing down for the guitar legend. Clapton is currently rehearsing for a benefit concert in Madison Square Gardens, and he continues to write and record new material. His 1998 album 'Pilgrim' won two Grammy's and his work on film scores has also brought him critical acclaim. The double inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame however is currently enjoying the attention and money that his auction has raised for the charity closest to his heart. " I... want to say thank you on behalf of all the patients who will get free treatment as a result of this sale ". FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vredy Lytsma, Press Office, Christie's + 212.636.2680 SHOTLIST: SHOWS : EXTR AUCTION HOUSE ; POSTER FOR SALE ; PULL BACK GUITAR FAN READING AUCTION BOOK ; PULL INTO AUCTIONEER AT START OF SALE ; GVS AUCTION OF LOT 46, 1959 GIBSON ES-335TD, FOR $70,000 ; GVS AUCTION OF GUITAR WHICH CLAPTON WROTE WONDERFUL TONIGHT ON FOR $190,000 ; GVS AUCTION OF LOT 103 1954 FENDER STRATOCASTER FOR $450,000 ; SOT CATHY ELKIS (CHRISTIE'S AUCTIONEER); SOT GIL SOUTHWORTH JR (WHO BOUGHT LOT 46 FOR $70,000) ; MS GUITARS AND CLAPTON PHOTO ; CLIP VIDEO MY FATHER'S EYES?

BONNIE BRAMLETT, DELANEY BRAMLETT, ERIC CLAPTON, GEORGE HARRISON PERFORM, 1970. FRIENDS INCLUDE BOBBY WITLOCK, JIM GORDON AND CARL RADLE, LATER WITH CLAPTON IN DEREK AND THE DOMINOES.