Dylan Manuscripts Pulled From June 23 Christie's Sale

Earlier today we received word that the amazing Bob Dylan manuscripts offered in the June 23 Christie's New York sale (see below) have been pulled--a close friend of ours received word from Christie's that “Lots 319-325 have been withdrawn, pending resolution of a title issue”.   Evidently Christie's had no other comment beyond this.

We don't know what happened, but the logical guess would be that Dylan objected to the sale of these important manuscripts.  The catalog noted that these were originally from the collection of Dylan's late manager, Albert Grossman.  Dylan and Grossman ended their relationship with a long and highly contentious court battle, and Christie's note that there was a "title issue" suggests that there might be an issue with the provenance of the manuscripts.  More as things develop...

AMAZING AND AUTHENTIC DYLAN MANUSCRIPTS AT AUCTION

Today's mail brought me an auction catalog for Christie's upcoming sale of "Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts," which takes place June 23 in their New York showrooms.  While manuscript auctions typically aren't my thing, this one includes some truly mindblowing items for any Dylan fan.  Hidden at the very end of the catalog are six astounding lots of original Bob Dylan manuscripts--indisputably AUTHENTIC ones--the likes of which you aren't likely to see offered again.

These come from the collection of Dylan's former manager, the late Albert Grossman, and if you've been confused by the proliferation of Dylan items for sale--real and most often forged--take a long, hard look at these, for they are as real as real gets.  Offered for sale are drafts and partial or whole working manuscripts for Outlaw Blues, Love Minus Zero / No Limit, Queen Jane Approximately, Farewell Angelina, Subterranean Homesick Blues, Maggies Farm, Bob Dylan's 115th Dream, I'll Keep It With Mine, Visions of Johanna, and the unreleased You Don't Have To Do That.  

The manuscripts offered are typed, handwritten, or more commonly a combination of both; and illustrate Dylan's writing process in a way words can never convey.  As Clinton Heylin has written about how Dylan is "an exemplar editor of his own work.  Rarely will he substitute an image or a phrase with an inferior one."

If you've read this blog before, you know I've written extensively about issues of authenticity and provenance.  I've been fortunate enough to examine many indisputably authentic Dylan manuscripts and these rank with the very best.  I encourage anyone interested in Dylan's work to spend some time looking closely at these (links below.)  They are truly special.

Outlaw Blues
Love Minus Zero / No Limit/You Don't Have To Do That
Queen Jane Approximately
Farewell Angelina
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Maggie's Farm/Bob Dylan's 115th Dream/I'll Keep It With Mine
Visions of Johanna

And if you're a collector of rare records or music memorabilia, or have rare vinyl or music collectibles to sell, please check out the Recordmecca website.