Clapton To Auction Guitars

Slowhand to sell a load of guitars to raise money for his Crossroads Centre

Eric Clapton is auctioning some of his most valued guitars to raise money for the Crossroads Centre in Antigua.

Slowhand will sell a large percentage of his guitar collection to raise money for the rehab centre, which he founded in 1998 to help treat drug and alcohol addiction.

The highlight of the auction is due to be a guitar that Clapton played during the Cream reunion at the Royal Albert Hall in 2005. This guitar is expected to sell for more than £13,000.

The sale will also feature a vast collection of amps and speakers, including a pair of Marshall speaker cabinets used during the 1970s when the star was performing with Derek And The Dominos. It is expected to fetch more than £5,000.

Guitars donated by Jeff Beck, JJ Cale and Joe Bonamassa will also go under the hammer.

"We are delighted to be offering such a fantastic collection of guitars and amps from such an iconic musician," said Stephanie Connell, head of entertainment memorabilia at Bonhams

She said she hoped the auction would "raise a lot of money for this worthwhile cause."

Items will go on display at Bonhams in London from 23 to 26 January before the sale on 9 February.

(BBC)