News
Sotheby’s To Auction Jack Bruce Memorabilia 29 September
22 Sep 15
Eric Clapton’s “Daphne Blue 1” Fender Stratocaster To Be Sold To Benefit Luke Rees-Pulley Charitable Trust.
Sotheby’s London next Rock and Pop Auction will open with the sale of 35 lots from the legendary rock musician Jack Bruce, handpicked for the auction by the artist before his death last year. Included are 18 costumes worn on tours and concerts across the world from the Cream era (1966-1968), his solo career and Cream’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. The highlight will be the musician’s favorite bass guitar, the Warwick Thumb Bass. It was played at the Cream performance during their induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and remained Bruce’s favoured instrument until the recording of his final album,Silver Rails (March 2014). Also included are several other instruments, handwritten lyrics and musical manuscripts.
A custom made Fender Stratocaster that belonged to Eric Clapton will go under the hammer to benefit the Luke Rees-Pulley Charitable Trust. The charity was established by Luke’s family after his death in 2005. In memory of Luke’s passion for his job as a London bus driver, the it works to promote safe travel in Greater London and supports numerous projects relating to public transport throughout the city.
The Daphne Blue Signature Fender Stratocaster, custom built for Clapton in 2009, was used extensively on stage until autumn 2011, and was notably his main stage guitar at The Crossroads Guitar Festival, Chicago, in 2010. One of three Daphne Blue Fender Stratocasters made for the guitarist the red paper dot on the back of this guitar’s headstock, and the labels on its case “Daphne Blue 1” indicate that this particular guitar was Clapton’s main Daphne Blue Stratocaster; the other two partner guitars were the spares for it.
Other highlights of the auction will be the grand piano played by ABBA on their most celebrated songs, The Beatles 1962 contract that cemented their relationship with Brian Epstein, Bob Dylan’s typewritten lyrics for ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall’, and Tupac Shakur’s handwritten lyrics for ‘Ambitionz Az A Ridah’.
The auction, on Tuesday 29 September at 2:30pm BST, will be preceded by a five day public exhibition at Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to explore musical instruments, handwritten lyrics, stage costumes, historic photographs and personal effects relating to the greats of Rock and Pop while listening to the sounds that made them famous. Beats by Dr. Dre headphones will be installed at listening stations throughout the gallery, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the music and bring these iconic objects to life.
Exhibition Schedule at Sotheby’s, 34–35 New Bond Street London, W1A 2AA
Thursday 24 September, 9 am – 4.30 pm
Friday 25 September, 9 am – 4.30 pm
Sunday 27 September, 12 noon – 5 pm
Monday 28 September, 9 am – 4.30 pm