A four-time Vogue cover girl, Boyd is widely considered the rock's most legendary muse: as the ex-wife of George Harrison and Eric Clapton, inspired some of the greatest love songs of all time. The sale is led by the original artwork chosen by Eric Clapton for the album cover Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and The Dominos from 1970 (estimate: £40.000-60.000) and the original handwritten lyrics for George Harrison's Mystical One (estimate: £30.000)-50.000), along with love letters, drawings, photographs, fashion, jewelery and watches. Estimates range from £300 to £60.000.
The entire sale will be on view to the public at Christie's headquarters in London from 15 to 21 March
Successful model in Swinging London, Pattie Boyd met the future husband George Harrison on the set of the 1964 Beatles film A Hard Day's Night. Their relationship put Boyd at the center of Beatlemania and inspired the deeply in love George to write the enduring Beatles ballad Something. In 1970, Harrison's close friend and fellow musician, Eric Clapton declared his secret love for Boyd in the song Layla, Clapton's secret nickname for Boyd. He borrowed the name from a 1974th-century Persian tale of a man driven mad by an unattainable love. The track has since been acclaimed as one of the greatest love songs. Boyd later inspired Clapton to write the timeless Wonderful Tonight, after leaving Harrison to be with him in XNUMX. Eric and George remained lifelong friends.
Additional highlights include:
Love Stories:
The sale features intimate insights into the most famous “love triangle” in music history, including: two important love letters handwritten by Eric Clapton in 1970 (each with an estimate of £10.000-15.000), one urgently shipped to Harrison's home around the same time he wrote his famous paean to unrequited love, Layla; a 1971 letter from George Harrison (estimate: £10.000-15.000); a telegram from Eric (estimate: £1.000-1.500); and the original artwork used for the cover of Derek and The Dominos' 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, originally purchased by Clapton from the artist's son Frandsen De Schomberg during a 1970 stay at the artist's home in France , when the guitarist was struck by the resemblance to Pattie Boyd, with equally blonde hair (estimate: £40.000-60.000).
Music:
Dream material for Beatles and Clapton fans everywhere, music lots include: a rare set of handwritten lyrics by Eric Clapton for an unreleased song Sweet Eloraine, (estimate: £4.000-6.000); an original design doodle for an Apple Records LP label by George Harrison (estimate: £3.000-5.000); a rare set of complete handwritten lyrics by George Harrison for the song Mystical One (estimate: £30.000-50.000); and a set list handwritten by Eric Clapton (estimate: £1.000-1.500).
Photography:
As both subject and photographer, portraits of Boyd and his circle range from: A series of original vintage photographs taken by Boyd during the Beatles' historic stay at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh, India, in 1968 (estimate: £3.000-5.000) ; the stunning portrait of Eric Swayne that appeared on the cover of Boyd's 2022 photography book My Life in Pictures (estimate: £600-800); Pattie and George at their home in Surrey, Kinfauns The Rose Garden, shot by Boyd (estimate: £4.000-6.000); an elegant mirror self-portrait (estimate: £1.000-1.500); and a unique Polaroid photograph of Boyd of Eric Clapton with his favorite Fender Stratocaster guitar, nicknamed “Blackie”, circa 1977 (estimate: £800-1.200). The sale will also include a unique platinum print of Boyd of George on the Isle of Skye (estimate: £2.000-3.000); an album of original vintage photographs of George and Pattie's honeymoon in Barbados (estimate: £2.000-3.000); as well as a collection of original Polaroid photographs, largely taken during Boyd's time with Clapton, with individual estimates ranging from £300.
Fashion, watches and jewellery:
A small group of jewelery and watches includes: a diamond-set art deco cocktail watch (estimate: £4.000-6.000), a Rolex watch (estimate: £2.500-4.000); and an articulated silver enamel and silver-gilt fairy pendant commissioned from Mick Milligan (estimate: £2.000-3.000), the latter two of which were gifts from Eric Clapton. Fashion lots include a psychedelic minidress by The Fool Collective (estimate £1.000-1.500) and a light blue chinoiserie brocade suit by The Fool Collective (estimate £800-1.200).
Cover image Christie's lot up for auction: George Harrison and Pattie Boyd at Kinfauns, March 1965 Henry Grossman (1936-2022). Estimate GBP 1,000 – GBP 1,500
