Patty Boydthe legendary model and ex-wife of Eric Clapton and George Harrison, has sold her collection of memorabilia, including an intimate letter from both, at an auction for more than 3 million dollars.
It was a famous love triangle in which Boyd was married to Harrison for over a decade and then divorced and married Harrison’s friend Clapton in 1979.
George Harrison and Pattie Boyd in the 1960s, in a photo sold at Christie’s. Photo: Christie’s catalogue.The muse behind the successes
Boyd She made her mark as a muse for both Clapton and Harrison, serving as the creative inspiration behind hits like something of the Beatles and Layla AND Wonderful tonight by Clapton. In one of the letters up for auction, Clapton addresses a letter to “Layla”, as he affectionately called her.
A letter written by George Harrison to Pattie Boyd. Photo: Christie’s catalogue.“I am writing this letter to you, with the main object of knowing your feelings towards a subject well known to both of us,” it began.
“What I want to ask you is if you still love your husband,” she continued. “All these questions are very impertinent, I know, but if there is still something in your heart for me… you should let me know!”
“Dear Layla,” Clapton says to Pattie Boyd in this letter. Photo: Christie’s catalogue.“Don’t call on the phone! Send me a letter… It’s much safer,” concluded the former Cream guitarist.
Other items from the auction
Letters between Boyd and her ex-husbands date back to the 1960s and 1970s, at the height of both musicians’ careers. There is a letter from Clapton dated January 1971 written on a page in the book Of mice and men by John Steinbeck.
Plus, the original handwritten lyrics of A mystical one of Harrison sold for $60,000 and a photograph of the Beatles in India in 1968 sold for $66,000.
Pattie Boyd also sold some photos of herself from her modeling days. Photo: Christie’s catalogue.Other treasures from rock history in Boyd’s collection include the original artwork chosen by Clapton for the cover Layla and other assorted love songs by Derek and the Dominoes.
The collection sold for a total of $3.5 million at Christie’s London headquarters.
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“I am completely blown away by the enthusiasm of international bidders for these special treasures that I have always loved,” Boyd said at the auction.
“I am very happy that new hearts are now enjoying themselves as they enter the next chapters. I am fortunate that my life today continues to bring me joy and different adventures. I would encourage people to follow their passions and live their lives with pleasure,” he said the 80-year-old former model.
Source: Clarin
