Historic Eric Clapton guitar goes on sale

A guitar once used by rocker Eric Clapton is up for auction.
The Fender Stratocaster, a copy of Eric’s famous ‘Blackie’ guitar he used from 1990 to 1993 after he retired the original, is being sold by its owner, who bought it at an auction in 2004.
Bosses at the San Francisco Art Exchange, who are conducting the sale, have set a minimum asking price of $325,000 (£247,000) but estimate the guitar could sell for between $500,000 and $600,000 (£380,000 – £455,000).
The instrument is also notable as it is the last Eric used before he gave up smoking, and as a result, bears cigarette burns that are characteristic of the guitars he used in his early career.
Purchased at a Christie’s auction, the original Blackie sold for a record-breaking price of $959,000 (£728,000).
Eric used its replacement at iconic gigs including the 24 Nights concerts he played at London’s Royal Albert Hall and when he toured with The Beatles’ George Harrison.