Eric Clapton's guitar, Kurt Cobain's handwritten setlists and Whitney Houston's multi-print Versace jacket are among the star-powered music memorabilia hitting the auction block this weekend.

Clapton's 1968 Martin D-45 acoustic instrument is the toast of this year's "Icons & Idols: Rock 'N' Roll" from Julien's Auctions, which anticipates the guitar could fetch $300,000 to $500,000 during bidding this weekend.

Clapton's 1968 Martin D-45 acoustic instrument is the toast of this year's "Icons & Idols: Rock 'N' Roll" from Julien's Auctions, which anticipates the guitar could fetch $300,000 to $500,000 during bidding this weekend
Clapton's 1968 Martin D-45 acoustic instrument is the toast of this year's "Icons & Idols: Rock 'N' Roll" from Julien's Auctions, which anticipates the guitar could fetch $300,000 to $500,000 during bidding this weekend AFP / TIMOTHY A. CLARY

"And I think that's a conservative estimate," said Martin Nolan, executive director of the house.

"The collectible on the art market right now -- it's very, very hot, these prices are going through the roof," he told AFP during a preview of the auction that will include some 1,000 pieces.

A plaid and paisley print on golden ground jacket by Gianni Versace worn by Whitney Houston circa 1992 is among the items up for auction in New York
A plaid and paisley print on golden ground jacket by Gianni Versace worn by Whitney Houston circa 1992 is among the items up for auction in New York AFP / TIMOTHY A. CLARY

The 76-year-old Englishman Clapton -- who in recent years has made a very public turn to far-right conservatism, taking an ardent anti-Covid-19 vaccination stance and facing accusations of racism -- played the guitar during the 1970 debut live concert performance of Derek and The Dominos, the group he founded that was behind the classic "Layla."

A sheet of partial handwritten working draft lyrics to that 1970 hit are also for sale, and estimated to go for $30,000 to $50,000.

Asked if Julien's considered the controversy surrounding Clapton in choosing to highlight items connected to the rock star, Nolan said "there will always be something controversial."

A sheet of partial handwritten working draft lyrics to Clapton's 1970 song "Layla" written at The Thunderbird Motel, in Miami Beach
A sheet of partial handwritten working draft lyrics to Clapton's 1970 song "Layla" written at The Thunderbird Motel, in Miami Beach AFP / TIMOTHY A. CLARY

"I could go down the list with every star that's represented here," he said. "We don't focus on that; we focus on what's good, the amazing music that they've given us for many, many decades."

Also included in the two-day auction -- bidding will take place online and at Manhattan's Hard Rock Cafe November 19-20 -- is a handwritten setlist from Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.

He scrawled songs including "Come As You Are" and "About A Girl" on a tablecloth he signed along with bandmates Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic.

Last year at Julien's annual event a retro acoustic-electric guitar the late star played during the legendary 1993 MTV Unplugged performance snagged a record $6 million, the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction.

The year prior, the cigarette-singed cardigan that grunge's reluctant poster boy wore during that same performance went for $334,000.

Several outfits worn on stage by the late American pop diva Whitney Houston are also going under the hammer, along with a plaid and paisley print Gianni Versace jacket and matching velvet trousers.

Julien's estimates the ensemble, which the superstar wore circa 1992, could go for $3,000 to $5,000.

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