The auction will feature 50 unique items from the legendary musician’s life, with some expected to fetch up to $600,000, according to Julien’s Auctions.
The items on offer come from the personal collection of Al Aronowitz, a pioneering journalist often called the "godfather of rock journalism." Aronowitz was close to many iconic artists, including Dylan, and his archive offers a rare glimpse into the musician’s creative process.
Among the standout pieces are three drafts of "Mr. Tambourine Man," Dylan’s first song to reach number one in both the U.S. and U.K. The auction house revealed that Dylan worked on the lyrics while staying at Aronowitz’s home in New Jersey, inspired by Marvin Gaye’s "Can I Get A Witness," which he played repeatedly. These drafts, reflecting substantial revisions from the first to the final version, are estimated to sell for $400,000 to $600,000.
Art, photos, and historical items
Other notable items include a signed oil painting from 1968, vintage photographs, and a rare analogue disc of Dylan’s 2021 re-recording of “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” Additionally, a promotional flyer for Dylan’s first major solo concert in 1963 at New York’s Town Hall will also be available.
In Aronowitz’s original article about Dylan, also up for sale, he recalls the singer writing “Mr. Tambourine Man” on a typewriter amid cigarette smoke, with drafts scattered in a wastebasket. "I smoothed out the crumpled sheets and marveled at the leaps of creativity," Aronowitz wrote.
Preserving a legacy
Aronowitz’s son, Myles, described his father as someone who deeply understood the vision of the artists he covered. "This collection reflects his ability to connect with greatness," Myles said, emphasizing the personal connection his father had with Dylan’s work.
The auction, titled "Celebrating Bob Dylan: The Al Aronowitz Archive, T Bone Burnett, & More," will take place on January 18 at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.
A timely celebration
The event coincides with the global release of James Mangold’s Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet. The film chronicles Dylan’s rise from his arrival in New York at age 19 to becoming one of the most influential figures in music history.
Bob Dylan, who has sold over 125 million records, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 for creating "new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition."
For fans and collectors, this auction is a rare chance to own a piece of history from one of music’s most celebrated figures.
