Bob Dylan’s legendary influence on music and culture was celebrated at a Nashville auction, where drafts of his 1965 hit Mr. Tambourine Man and other memorabilia fetched over £1.5 million. Among the highlights was the sale of handwritten lyric drafts for £417,000, reflecting Dylan’s enduring legacy.
Mr. Tambourine Man Drafts Lead the Sale
Bob Dylan’s original drafts for his legendary 1965 song Mr. Tambourine Man have sold for an astonishing £417,000 at an auction in Nashville, Tennessee. The two yellow sheets, featuring three progressive drafts of the lyrics with handwritten annotations, were the highlight of the sale. Initially estimated to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000, the drafts ultimately sold for $508,000 (£417,000).
A Collection of Musical History
The lyrical drafts were among 60 Dylan-related items auctioned at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, with many pieces coming from the personal collection of Al Aronowitz, a renowned American music journalist. Aronowitz, often called the “grandfather of rock journalism,” played a pivotal role in preserving this iconic moment in music history.
In March 1964, Aronowitz found Dylan, then just 22 years old, asleep on his sofa, with early drafts of Mr. Tambourine Man crumpled in his trash bin. Dylan had spent the night writing and rewriting the lyrics at Aronowitz’s New Jersey home.
Art, Instruments, and Rare Memorabilia
The auction also included an array of Dylan memorabilia, showcasing the multifaceted artistry of the legendary musician:
- Oil Painting: A 1968 oil painting by Dylan sold for $260,000. The cubist-style artwork marked the beginning of Dylan’s visual art career, inspired by a birthday gift from his first wife, Sara.
- Fender Telecaster Guitar: A 1983 Fender Telecaster electric guitar, previously owned and played by Dylan, fetched $222,250—well above its $80,000-$120,000 estimate. Dylan had gifted the instrument to Cesar Diaz, a famed amplifier technician and musician.
- Sketches and Unique Items: A hand-drawn sketch on Plaza Hotel memo paper, expected to sell for $1,500-$2,500, garnered $88,900. A Levi’s denim jacket worn by Dylan in the 1987 film Hearts of Fire sold for $25,400.
- Rare Collectibles: A signed harmonica, early photographs, and a handbill from Dylan’s first major headline performance at Town Hall in New York City in 1963 also went under the hammer.
An Enduring Legacy
The auction, conducted by Julien’s Auctions, brought in nearly $1.5 million. Martin Nolan, executive director of the auction house, praised the event as a “fantastic auction with outstanding sales.” He noted, “Today’s white-glove auction reinforces the extraordinary impact and love that Dylan commands across generations.”
This remarkable sale underscores Dylan’s enduring influence not only in music but also in art, culture, and history. His works continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
