Clapton Benefit Auction

 Bonhams is delighted to announce this landmark auction, which includes more than 150 lots from Eric Clapton's personal collection. The sale will feature over 70 guitars and 70 amps which have helped create Clapton's legendary sound. This is the first time the rock icon has donated his historic amplifiers to auction and gives fans a rare opportunity to purchase a piece of Clapton history.

The auction is being held to benefit The Crossroads Centre, Antigua. A spokesman for the Centre says, "The Crossroads Centre is very excited to be the beneficiary of Eric Clapton's guitar and amp auction at Bonhams which will directly assist those who are in need of addiction treatment. As we know, recovery from addiction is possible and with quality treatment and support, is often lifesaving."

The auction will be held in New York, on Wednesday 9th March 2011, with pre-sale viewing also planned at Bonhams London during January, and Bonhams & Butterfields Los Angeles in February.

Eric Clapton has commented on the sale: "I am very happy that Bonhams have agreed to host my third guitar auction in aid of The Crossroads Centre, Antigua, the drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre I founded in 1998."