Drafts of Bob Dylan song sold for more than $500,000

January 20, 2025
Drafts of Bob Dylan song sold for more than $500,000

Typewritten drafts of Bob Dylan song Mr Tambourine Man have sold for more than half a million dollars after they were auctioned in the USA.

The two yellow sheets of paper contain three progressive drafts of the lyrics, with annotations made in Dylan’s hand on the third draft of the song which he released in 1965.

They went to sale on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee with an estimated price tag of between $400,000 to $600,000 US dollars (€389,400-584,100), finally selling for $508,000 US dollars (€494,538).

Mr Tambourine Man lyrics

The lyrical drafts were among 60 items that were up for sale in the dedicated auction for acclaimed musician Dylan, with 50 pieces from the personal collection of American music journalist Al Aronowitz.

A 1968 oil painting created and signed by Dylan also met its estimate of $2-300,000 (€194,700-292,050) as it went for $260,000 (€253,110).

The artwork, which depicts a figure in bold colours and in a cubist style, was produced by the US star at the beginning of his artistic endeavours after his first wife Sara gifted him oil paints for his 27th birthday.

Also among the high value lots was a 1983 Fender Telecaster electric guitar which was owned and played by Dylan before he gifted it to famed amplifier technician and musician Cesar Diaz.

The instrument surpassed its estimate of $80-120,000 (€77,880-116,820), achieving $222,250 (€216,360) at auction.

Bob Dylan's 1983 Telecaster

The collection of 60 items brought in nearly $1.5 million (€1,460,250) in sales, according to Julien’s Auctions.

Aronowitz’s son Myles previously noted how his father was an "incredible connector" who had helped introduce Dylan to US poet and writer Allen Ginsberg and the Beatles.

"He wasn’t just a writer with a powerbase as a New York columnist; Al had this unique kind of magic", he said.

"He made these introductions that went on to shape culture itself. It was more than power or influence – there was something truly magical about what he did.

"The collection represents my father’s instinctive ability to identify and connect with greatness.

"Each item is evidence of this, and how with his magic, he literally brought you into the room."

A painting by Bob Dylan

Executive director and co-founder of Julien’s Auctions, Martin Nolan, described it as a "fantastic auction with outstanding sales".

He added: "We’re honoured to highlight this truly unique collection with so many historic Bob Dylan items from the grandfather of rock journalism, Al Aronowitz.

"Today’s white glove auction just reinforces the extraordinary impact and everlasting love that people have for Dylan, which transcends generations."

The Celebrating Bob Dylan: The Aronowitz Archive & More auction took place on Saturday at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.

Source: Press Association