Bob Dylan’s rare lyrics for his 1965 song Mr Tambourine Man have sold for over £400,000 at an auction in Nashville, Tennessee. The two yellow sheets of paper contain three progressive drafts with annotations, offering a unique glimpse into the songwriter’s creative process.
The items, including a signed harmonica and vintage photographs, were part of a collection of 60 pieces from American music journalist Al Aronowitz’s personal stash. Aronowitz had received the lyrics in 1964 after Dylan crashed at his New Jersey home overnight, having spent hours writing and rewriting the song on his typewriter.
The sale of the Mr Tambourine Man lyrics is one of several high-value items that fetched impressive prices from the collection. A 1968 oil painting by Dylan sold for $260,000, while a rare Fender Telecaster electric guitar owned by Dylan himself sold for $222,250.
Other notable items included sketches and handbills from Dylan’s early performances, as well as vintage photographs and memorabilia. The total sales from the collection exceeded $1.5 million, with Julien’s Auctions praising the “outstanding sales” and “extraordinary impact” of the auction.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jan/18/bob-dylans-drafts-for-mr-tambourine-man-sell-for-more-than-400000