But the original artwork for Eric Clapton’s Layla album has sold for an astonishing £1.9 million, which – rather appropriately for something associated with a old long player record – was 33 times its estimate.
The artwork was among a £3 million treasure trove sold by Pattie Boyd, who was famously at the centre of a love triangle with Clapton and her husband, former Beatle George Harrison.
Also going under the hammer was Clapton’s first letter pursuing her in 1970. In it he writes: ‘What I wish to ask you is if you still love your husband, or if you have another lover?’ It asks that she reply by letter rather than on the phone as it is ‘much safer’ and is signed: ‘All my love, E’.
Boyd thought the letter was from a crazed fan and even showed it to her then-husband. Only when Clapton phoned later did she realise it was from the guitar legend – who wrote the song Layla about her. She divorced Harrison after a decade in 1977 and married Clapton in 1979. The letter fetched more than £107,000.
The Pattie Boyd Collection far surpasses auction estimate at almost £3 million
A trove of treasures from former fashion model Pattie Boyd, including photographs and love letters, have sold for almost £3 million at auction – far exceeding its original estimate.
The sale was led by original artwork chosen by Clapton for the cover of Derek And The Dominos’ 1970 album Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs.
It was estimated to fetch between £40,000 and £60,000, but sold for 33 times the pre-sale estimate at £1,976,000 – after a prolonged bidding battle. The collection sold for a total of £2,818,184.
Clapton famously wrote the 1970 track Layla about Boyd, as well as his 1977 hit Wonderful Tonight.
“I am completely blown away by the enthusiasm of international bidders for these special treasures that I have always loved,” Boyd said.
“I am so happy that new hearts will now enjoy them, as they enter into their next ‘chapters’.
“I am lucky that my life today continues to bring me joy and different adventures – I would encourage people to follow their passions and live their lives with gusto.”
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