Richard Parks “Mr. Tambourine Man” Drafts Command Top Price
Original drafts of Bob Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man sold for $508,000 (£417,000) at an auction in Nashville. These typewritten drafts include three versions of the lyrics, complete with handwritten notes on the final draft. Discovered in 1964 by journalist Al Aronowitz, the drafts were found crumpled in a bin after Dylan worked on the song at Aronowitz’s home in New Jersey.
The auction took place at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. The lyrical drafts were part of a collection of 60 items, including 50 pieces from Aronowitz’s personal archives. The winning bid surpassed the estimated price of $400,000 to $600,000.
Dylan’s Artistic Range on Display
A 1968 oil painting by Dylan sold for $260,000, showcasing the artist’s early ventures into visual art. Created using a gift of oil paints from his wife, Sara, the painting features bold colors and cubist influences.
A 1983 Fender Telecaster electric guitar, used by Dylan and gifted to amplifier technician Cesar Diaz, sold for $222,250. This sale far exceeded the pre-auction estimate of $80,000 to $120,000. Other notable items included a sketch on a Plaza Hotel memo pad, which fetched $88,900, despite being estimated at $1,500 to $2,500.
Additional Highlights of the Auction
A Levi’s denim jacket worn by Dylan in the 1987 film Hearts of Fire was sold for $25,400. Rare photographs, a signed harmonica, and a handbill from Dylan’s first major headline concert at New York City’s Town Hall in 1963 also attracted bidders.
Julien’s Auctions reported that the event generated nearly $1.5 million in total sales. Martin Nolan, co-founder of Julien’s Auctions, praised the collection as a testament to Dylan’s enduring legacy in music and art. He described the auction as a celebration of Dylan’s cultural impact across generations.