Bob Dylan’s words remain as valuable as ever. Draft lyrics to his iconic song “Mr. Tambourine Man” recently sold for $508,000 at auction.
Sixty of Dylan’s personal items were sold on Saturday, Jan. 18, through Julien’s Auctions. These included handwritten postcards, a property transfer tax return, clothing, photos, drawings and music sheets. Altogether, the auction generated $1.5 million in sales from in-person and online bidding.
The auction’s standout piece was two leaves of yellow paper. Annotated in Dylan’s handwriting, the pages feature three drafts of the legendary song “Mr. Tambourine Man.”
The song became a cultural phenomenon when The Byrds released their cover version in 1965. The cover hit number one on the Billboard charts, introducing Dylan’s music to a wider audience.
A newspaper article featured on Julien’s Auctions’ website, written by journalist Al Aronowitz, offers insight into Dylan’s creative process. Aronowitz described how Dylan began writing “Mr. Tambourine Man” at his breakfast bar, surrounded by a “swirl of chain-lit cigarette smoke.”
Other top-selling items included an original oil painting by Dylan, which fetched $260,000, and an electric guitar he owned and played, which sold for $222,000.
Dylan’s legacy continues to inspire generations. The recent release of the biopic “A Complete Unknown” highlights his transformative journey in the 1960s.
The film, starring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, chronicles his evolution from folk music roots to his controversial electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Chalamet’s portrayal includes live renditions of Dylan’s iconic music, adding authenticity to the story.
