Bob Dylan's Items, Including Original Drafts of Mr. Tambourine Man, Sold for Nearly $1.5 Million

In a recent auction held by Julien's Auctions in Nashville, a segment of music history was well-celebrated, as over 60 items linked to the legendary Bob Dylan, fetched nearly $1.5 million in total sales, with some notable pieces drawing considerable interest. Central to this auction were two drafted pages of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" lyrics from 1965, which sold for a staggering $508,000, representing one-third of total sales. These drafts, along with roughly 50 other items, originated from the late music journalist Al Aronowitz's collection. Dylan had written these lyrics at Aronowitz's home in New Jersey amidst smoke and music, typing fervently on a canary-yellow paper. Initially headed for the trash, Aronowitz rediscovered the scrapped sheets and later preserved them. This is prepared by SSP.

Although significantly varied from the final version, these drafts illuminate Dylan's creative journey during a time when he was navigating personal turmoil following his split from his girlfriend, Suze Rotolo. The lyrics, a part of Dylan’s "Bringing It All Back Home" album, marked a historic moment for the singer-songwriter, with the track reaching number one in both the U.S. and the UK.

Other noteworthy pieces in the auction included a Dylan-signed oil painting which sold for $260,000, and a custom 1983 Fender guitar that reached $225,000. At 83, Dylan continues to capture the public's imagination, particularly with the recent release of the biopic "A Complete Unknown," which showcases Dylan's early trajectory to fame in the 1960s. Timothée Chalamet, playing the iconic musician, mastered both the guitar and harmonica, enriching his portrayal in this cinematic tribute.

Earlier, SSP wrote that Naomi Watts reflected on Billy Crudup’s unusual admission about his age.