An empty guitar case with ties to legendary musician Eric Clapton fetched £4,500 at auction. The worn case, stamped with “Derek and the Dominos” and labeled “fragile,” was sold by Ryedale Auctioneers in Kirkbymoorside.
Angus Ashworth, the auctioneer from Ryedale Auctioneers, commented on the significant interest the item garnered: “The bidding war for this guitar case highlights the high demand for memorabilia connected to iconic musicians, especially someone as influential as Eric Clapton. Memorabilia like this, even without being the instrument itself, can achieve impressive prices. Its history or association with key events often boosts its value.”
The guitar case had solid provenance, having been gifted by Clapton to the owner of Leeds-based Ric Rac Studios. The owner had previously worked as a roadie for Derek and the Dominos during their 1970s tours.
Derek and the Dominos, the blues-rock band led by Clapton, released their only studio album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs in 1970. Although not initially a major success, the album eventually gained critical acclaim. The track Layla, inspired by Clapton’s feelings for George Harrison’s wife Pattie Boyd, became a hit and solidified the album as a milestone in Clapton’s career.
In addition to the guitar case, another notable item from Ric Rac Studios also attracted attention: an early Vox amplifier from the late 1950s. Though in poor condition and held together by gaffer tape, the amp—a model famously used by The Shadows—fetched £5,900, plus fees, after an intense bidding session.
