Few figures in rock history are as intimately tied to its most enduring love songs as Pattie Boyd. As the muse behind George Harrison’s Something and Eric Clapton’s Layla and Wonderful Tonight, she occupies a unique space where music, romance, and history converge. Earlier this year, Christie’s London hosted an extraordinary auction of her personal collection, offering a rare glimpse into the life of rock’s most storied muse.
The auction preview of the Pattie Boyd Collection at Christies in London gave me a once in a lifetime chance to see some of the icons of this muse, model and legend.
Pattie Boyd: The Muse Behind Rock’s Greatest Love Songs
A successful model in her on right, Pattie met George Harrison whilst filming a Hard Day’s Night. They dated, eventually marrying in 1966. Her relationship with George proved to be the muse for ‘something’ , one of the Beatles greatest songs written by George for the Abbey Road album.
Through George she met Eric Clapton who became infatuated with her to the point he just had to be with her. He wrote the song, “Beautiful Tonight” as he waited for her to be ready for a night out. But most importantly he wrote Layla, likening Pattie to his ‘Layla’
The Pattie Boyd Collection at Christies
In the spring of 2024, Christies will be auctioning an eclectic collection of Pattie’s belongings that are closely connected to the rock gods of Harrison and Clapton. With viewing open to the public, I had to pop in and see for myself.
The items on display include some of the (tiny) iconic dresses that she modelled, momentos from concerts, letters and drawings from friends including Ronnie Wood.
Set across two main rooms, the auction includes some new signed prints of photos taken by Pattie herself. A collection of informal pictures of both men hang on one wall, capturing fleeting moments in their relationship. A picture of Eric in some US hotel during his 1979 tour; a picture of George in the snow at Friar Park. There is also a print of Eric performing at the Band’s Last Waltz at san Fancisco’s Winter Ballroom.
My favourite print is a shot of Eric silhouetted by the setting sun, as he performs at Blackbushe Aeordrome in 1978. As a guest on the tour, Pattie had unrivalled access to offer us these unique perspectives.
Other Rock Gods are included, a picture of Eric and Mick Jagger at Live Aid, candid polaroids of the Beatles in India, George and Ronnie at Friar Park.
In the cabinets are all sorts of interesting trinkets. Guitar picks from the Seventies including the words ‘E.C. across America’, a silver Zippo with the Apple Corps logo, a limited edition Ravi Shankar autobiography including two sticks of Durbar Agarbathi incense sticks that still smell today!
Two red guitar picks from Live Aid stand out from a collection of Clapton badges including Fresh Cream, the Last Waltz and the E.C. USA tour of ’79.
But it’s the Layla connection that steals the show. A handwritten letter from Eric to his ‘Dearest L…’ seeking to know her feelings towards him, “… if you still love your husband, or if you have another lover?… is there a feeling in your heart for me?” Note the letter is address to Pattie Harrison at their Friar Park home!
Another letter, on a page from his book ‘Of Mice and Men’ stating he would, “sacrifice my family, my god and my own existence and still you will not move.” Powerful Stuff.
Of course we know Clapton channeled his emotions into one of the most incredible rock songs of all time, “Layla”.
The Artwork for Layla and Other Associated Love Songs
The name Layla comes from the ancient Arabic poem ‘Layla and Majnun’ which can also translate to ‘Layla’s Mad Lover’.
It tells the story of Qays and his lover Layla. They fell in love with each other when they were young, but when they grew up, Layla’s father did not allow them to be together. Qays became obsessed with her. His efforts to woo her lead the locals to call him majnun or mentally unhinged. This story struck a chord with the lovestruck Eric Clapton calling Pattie Boyd his Layla.
The album cover for ‘Layla and Associated Love Songs’ is a painting by French Dutch artist Frandsen-De Schomberg, who’s son Emile gave the painting to Clapton in 1970.
It is this small beautiful painting that is the star attraction in this Pattie Boyd Collection. A truly iconic album cover, it was great to be able to see the original, which looks in perfect condition all these years later.
The auction estimate for this piece alone was £40,000 to £60,000. At the time of publication, with 4 days to go, the bids are already at £130,000!
The Pattie Boyd collection was on view at Christies London, until 21st March 2024.
Auction Results – Fierce Global Bidding & A Landmark Rock Memorabilia Sale
Interest in the collection was extraordinary, with competitive bidding from collectors in over 30 countries. The sale ultimately realized £2.8M ($3.6M), more than seven times the pre-sale estimate. The sale’s undisputed centerpiece was the original artwork for Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, given to Boyd by Clapton himself, which fetched an astonishing £1,976,000 ($2.5M) — setting a new auction record for original album cover artwork. This overwhelming enthusiasm underscores the growing demand for rock memorabilia, particularly items tied to personal and cultural milestones in music history.
I am pleased to say that the Eric Clapton photograph, Another Hotel Room USA now hangs proudly in my office thanks to the generosity of my wife!
Christie’s & The Market for Rock Memorabilia
Christies have a strong track record in Rock Star Auctions. Already this year, they hosted a record breaking auction Mark Knopfler’s Guitars, and a Farewell to Peachtree Road from Elton John.
Last year they auctioned many rare books and instruments from the estate of Charlie Watts, Gentleman Collector and Rolling Stone. (I love that phrase, it’s so cool.)
They also hosted the 2019 auction of David Gilmour’s Guitars including the legendary ‘Black Strat’ that sold for almost $4 million! Whilst mere mortals like myself can only drool over the catalogue, these in person viewings are a great opportunity to get up close to a little bit of Rock Magic!
