Handwritten “Mr. Tambourine Man” Lyrics Sell for $508,000

Bob Dylan’s typewritten drafts for his iconic 1965 song Mr. Tambourine Man were sold for $508,000 at an auction in Nashville. The two yellow sheets of paper featured three versions of the lyrics with handwritten notes. Music journalist Al Aronowitz discovered the drafts in 1964, discarded by Dylan after a night of revisions at Aronowitz’s New Jersey home.

Rare Painting and Vintage Guitar Garner High Bids

A vibrant 1968 oil painting by Dylan, created during his early artistic phase, sold for $260,000. The artwork, signed by Dylan, depicted a colorful, cubist-style figure. Additionally, a 1983 Fender Telecaster electric guitar used by Dylan fetched $222,250, far exceeding its initial estimate of $120,000.

Unique Items Reflect Dylan’s Legacy

The auction also included a $25,400 Levi’s denim jacket worn by Dylan in the film Hearts of Fire and an $88,900 sketch on Plaza Hotel stationery. Early photographs, a signed harmonica, and a 1963 handbill from Dylan’s first major headline performance in New York City added to the collection. The 60 items, including many from Aronowitz’s private archive, collectively raised nearly $1.5 million. Auction organizers celebrated the event as a testament to Dylan’s enduring influence.