In a striking turn of events, the online auction of personal belongings of Pattie Boyd, a seminal figure in the Swinging Sixties, has not merely met but comfortably surpassed anticipated forecasts. Christie’s, an auction house with global renown, reports that they have successfully sold The Pattie Boyd Collection for an astounding sum of $3.6 million, approximately seven times higher than the projected pr-sale estimate.
The treasure trove, which consists of letters, photos, and various personal items, had been on public exhibition at Christie’s London-based headquarters since the previous Friday. For ardent nostalgics, the collection offered an intimate peek into the zeitgeist of the 1960s and 70s counterculture.
The 111 items that were up for grabs featured candidly heartfelt letters from her famous rocker husbands, George Harrison and Eric Clapton. Alongside, clothing, jewelry, drawings, and photographs — some of Boyd herself, others taken by her — were also available.
In a reaction to the overwhelming bidding enthusiasm, an awestruck Boyd admitted, “I am completely blown away…I am so happy that new hearts will now enjoy them.” The septuagenarian added, “I am lucky that my life today continues to bring me joy and different adventures.”
Boyd, 79, etched her name in music history as an enduring inspiration for iconic musicians. This is most evident in The Beatles’ classic number “Something”, which Harrison wrote for her, and Clapton’s passionate “Layla” and tender “Wonderful Tonight.”
However, the most remarkable sale was that of a piece of original artwork that graced the cover of the Derek and The Dominos 1970 album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.” Clapton himself selected it, and it was sold for just under $2.5 million, 33 times the pre-sale high estimate.
Reflecting on the remarkable success of the auction, Adrian Hume-Sayer, a director at Christie’s London, heaped praise on Boyd. He heralded the “outstanding results of this landmark auction” as a testament “to Pattie Boyd, model, photographer, muse, and icon.”
This unprecedented event underscores the enduring allure of the Swinging Sixties and the iconic figures who defined it, like Boyd, whose remarkable life has yet again captured the world’s imagination.
