The damaged guitar case, emblazoned with ‘Derek and the Dominos’ and ‘fragile’, has been put up for sale at Ryedale Auctioneers in Kirkbymoorside.
Auctioneer Angus Ashworth of Ryedale Auctioneers said: “The bidding war for this guitar case shows the demand for memorabilia associated with iconic musicians, particularly someone as influential as Eric Clapton. Often, items associated with famous artists can command high prices, even if the instruments themselves are not. The story behind the item, such as its history or specific events related to it, can greatly increase its value case of the guitar had a good provenance, as it was given by Clapton to the owner of Ric Rac Studios in Leeds. He toured with Derek and The Dominos in the 1970s as a roadie. »
Derek and The Dominos were a blues/rock group formed in 1970 and led by Eric Clapton. The band’s only studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, was released in 1970 and was not a major hit upon its release, but was critically acclaimed. A single from the album, Layla, inspired by Eric Clapton’s infatuation with his friend George Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd, was a chart success. The album is now considered a landmark record in Clapton’s career.
The contents of Ric Rac Studios, which fetched a high price during the sale, also include a rare Vox amplifier from the late 1950s. The amplifier was in poor condition and the box pieces were joined together with glue. Bidders saw the rare item (the same model was used by English rock group The Shadows) and pushed the price up to £5,900 plus fees.
If you have a collection you would like to auction, send photos with your contact details to valuations@ryedaleauctioneers.com and the team will contact you.