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.”
Pattie Boyd, the model, muse and photographer – and former wife of songwriters George Harrison and Eric Clapton – is auctioning off over 100 pieces from her personal collection at Christie’s later this month.
Model Pattie Boyd has sold letters from her notorious love triangle with guitarist Eric Clapton and Beatles legend George Harrison - saying she finds them 'heartbreaking' to read back, Dailymail reports.
The 1960s model and muse, who was the inspiration for both musicians, said she has Clapton's permission for the auction of the love letters.
Boyd, now 79, told the newspaper: 'I've had them all for so many years - far too long.'
The earliest letter, written by Clapton, is dated 1970 when Boyd was still married to Harrison. It asks if she still loves her husband and asks if she has another lover.
He goes on to acknowledge that his words are 'impertinent' but adds: 'If there is still a feeling in your heart for me, you must let me know.'
At first, she mistook it as a letter from a fan, as it was signed only with 'all my love, E'.
“For nothing more than the pleasures past I would sacrifice my family, my god and my own existence … I am at the end of my mind … I have listened to the wind, I have watched the dark brooding clouds I have felt the earth beneath me for a sign, a gesture, but there is only silence. Why do you hesitate, am I a poor lover, am I ugly; am I too weak, too strong, do you know why? If you want me, take me, I am yours. If you don’t want me, please break the spell that binds me. To cage a wild animal is a sin, to tame him is divine. My love is yours.”
But her real admirer called her that evening to expose his identity.
Written several months later on a torn out title-page from Of Mice and Men, a second letter expressed Clapton's sorrow that she remained with her husband.
Boyd described the correspondence as 'desperate and passionate' but reading them makes her 'terribly sad' as she told the Telegraph why she is selling them.
But correspondence to Boyd from her husband Harrison, sent from the Plaza Hotel in New York in 1971, is much more to the point.
He asks her to give him a call, talks about shopping, grilled cheese sandwiches and that he misses her.
The Telegraph reported that each letter is estimated to fetch between £10,000 and £15,000 at auction.
Also being sold is a 'so gentle, so sweet' drawing by Harrison of himself beneath an apple tree - expected to be sold for between £3,000 and £5,000.
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