The auction features 50 lots from iconic rock journalist Al Aronowitz’s archive, including original typewritten draft lyrics to “Mr. Tambourine Man” and others
Julien’s Auctions has announced the forthcoming auction Celebrating Bob Dylan: The Aronowitz Archive, T Bone Burnett, & More will be held at the Musician’s Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville on Saturday, January 18th. The auction features 60 items, 50 of these from journalist Al Aronowitz’s archive including two pages containing three progressive typewritten drafts of the lyrics to “Mr. Tambourine Man,” estimated to fetch $400,000-$600,000; an early Dylan oil painting from 1968 estimated at $200,000-$300,000; a 1963 handbill from his first major headline performance at Town Hall in New York City at $1,500-$2,000; early vintage photographs, original sketches and much more. The auction also includes a 1983 Fender Telecaster made for and owned by Dylan, estimated to bring $80,000-$120,000; and signed handwritten lyrics for “Blowin’ In The Wind” at $15,000-$20,000.
The auction is highlighted by a one-of-one Ionic Original disc of Bob Dylan’s new studio recording of “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” estimated at $400,000-$600,000, from a special session with multi-Grammy winning producer T Bone Burnett. The auction marks the second public sale of an Ionic Original recording following “Blowin’ In The Wind” in 2022.
“Hearing Bob Dylan sing ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’’ sixty years after he wrote it is a moving experience,” Burnett shares. “The times, have, in fact changed, and the listener can hear the gravity and the consequence of the sixty years of life that have passed since he first wrote and recorded the song. Although Bob’s earlier version of this song is, of course, a classic recording, to my way of listening, this Ionic Original is the definitive version of this indelible song.”
In honor of the auction, a special exhibition showcasing highlights from the Al Aronowitz collection will run from Wednesday, December 18th through Friday, January 17th. The auction will follow on January 18th at 10 am CT from the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. Items exhibited include; Dylan’s signed harmonica, original typewritten lyrics to “Mr. Tambourine Man,” a 1968 original oil painting, a Fender Telecaster, a screenworn embellished Levi’s denim jacket from the 1987 film Hearts of Fire, rare early show programs and posters, sketches and photographs of Dylan that document the zeitgeist of the era. This is the only time the entire collection will be on display to the public.
