A trove from Pattie Boyd's life is up for sale at Christie's
Pattie Boyd was at the epicenter of the Swinging 60s, but not always the center of attention.
The model and photographer, who was often in the shadow of her rock icon husbands George Harrison and Eric Clapton, comes into sharp focus through a trove of letters, photos and other items she is selling at Christie's auction house.
The collection, which went on public display at Christie's London headquarters on Friday, provides a glimpse into the heart of the 1960s and 70s counterculture. The 111 lots up for sale include affectionate letters from both Harrison and Clapton, alongside clothing, jewelry, drawings and photographs — some of Boyd, and some by her.
If Boyd, 79, feels a pang at parting with them, she isn't saying.
“I look back without emotion,” she told The Associated Press. “I can feel slightly sentimental, but not emotional.
“I've lived with all of these photographs and objets for so long — 40, 50 years,” she said. “I want other people to enjoy them.”
Boyd is famous as a musicians' muse, inspiration for The Beatles' song “Something,” composed for her by Harrison, as well as for Clapton's scorching “Layla” and sweet “Wonderful Tonight.”
The auction includes love letters from Clapton, written while Boyd was married to Harrison, and the original cover artwork for Derek and The Dominos' 1970 album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,” a painting of a blond model who reminded Clapton of Boyd. The painting is estimated to sell for between 40,000 and 60,000 pounds ($51,000 and $76,000).
Harrison's handwritten lyrics for the song “Mystical One” are on offer with an estimated price of 30,000 to 50,000 pounds ($38,000 to $63,000).
Boyd is an accomplished photographer, and the sale includes both large-scale portraits and informal Polaroids of Harrison, Clapton and other musicians, including Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend and Ronnie Wood.