Rare Bob Dylan Lyrics Discovered in Allen Ginsberg Book Head to Auction
An extremely rare working draft of lyrics for one of Bob Dylan's most esteemed songs has been discovered inside a first-edition paperback of Allen Ginsberg's Ankor Wat. The page, containing draft lyrics for the track "I'm Not There", is expected to fetch between £20,000 and £40,000 at auction this month.
Historical Provenance and Discovery
The book was once owned by Sally Grossman, the wife of Dylan's first manager, Albert Grossman, and a close friend of the singer. She famously appeared with Dylan on the cover of his 1965 album, Bringing It All Back Home. According to Omega Auctions, which listed the lyrics page, it likely sat nestled within the book since not long after Grossman was gifted the book by Ginsberg in 1969.
Following Sally Grossman's death in 2021, the book, along with many others from her estate, was sold to a US book dealer. The lyrics page is a piece of lined paper, torn along the lower edge, bearing typed lyrics with several amendments, indicating it is a working draft.
Significance of the Song and Release History
Dylan wrote and recorded "I'm Not There" during the summer of 1967 with his then-backing group, The Band, as part of over 100 songs from that period. A small collection of tapes was released eight years later by Columbia Records, with further songs emerging in subsequent decades. However, "I'm Not There" was not officially released until it appeared on the soundtrack album for the 2007 film of the same name.
The film featured an ensemble cast, including Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Ben Whishaw, and Marcus Carl Franklin, portraying different facets of Dylan's public personas. The auction listing describes this draft as "an extremely rare working lyric draft of what is regarded as one of Dylan's greatest pieces of songwriting", based on discussions with notable Dylan collectors.
Broader Music Memorabilia Auction Context
This discovery coincides with a vibrant month for music memorabilia auctions. Other notable items include:
- A guitar used by Guns N' Roses musician Slash, expected to fetch between £150,000 and £300,000.
- A leather jacket worn by the late George Michael in his "Faith" music video, with an estimated sale price of £60,000 to £120,000.
- An original manuscript of the lyrics to "Goodbye", handwritten by Sir Paul McCartney in 1969, part of Beatles memorabilia offerings.
These items are part of the Music Memorabilia Live Auction collection, highlighting ongoing interest in rare and historic pieces from iconic artists. The Dylan lyrics draft, with its unique provenance and artistic significance, stands out as a key highlight for collectors and fans alike.
