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A Seller’s Guide To Bob Dylan

Isabella de Souza
Sheena Carrington
written by Isabella de Souza, reviewed by Sheena Carrington
Last updated18 Dec 2024
A man wearing a white tank top and brown trousers stands with his back against a green car smoking a cigarette at  night time on wet desolate streets.  Image © Bob Dylan Art / Rainy Night In Grand Forks © Bob Dylan 2021
Leah Mentzis

Leah Mentzis, Partnerships Managerleah@myartbroker.com

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Bob Dylan?

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Bob Dylan is an iconic musician, poet, and artist. Much like his music, his artwork has captivated audiences worldwide. If you're considering selling a Bob Dylan print, this comprehensive guide will provide you with essential information to help you navigate the market and maximise your return.

“Just like in his music, Bob Dylan always seems to be experimenting with different approaches to his visual art. One series differs greatly from another in often remarkable ways.’’
Shai Batel, Artistic Director at the Shanghai Modern Art Museum
The central figure, a cowboy wearing a blue denim shirt tucked into his jeans leans his back and two elbows against a bar, wearing a cowboy hat with a straoghtforward stare. Other figures are visble in the room all dressed in the similar buttoned up shirts, denim, jeans, and cowboy hats. Image © Bob Dylan Art / Bar Room Cowboy © Bob Dylan 2021

How Much Do Bob Dylan Prints Sell For?

The value of Dylan prints can vary greatly depending on factors such as edition size, rarity, and demand. Generally, limited edition prints tend to fetch higher prices than open editions. Prices can vary from a few thousand to tens of thousands of pounds. When selling it is crucial to research the current fair market value (FMV) of the print, taking into account factors such as the print's size and whether it is signed, as these details can significantly impact its value.

MyArtBroker's MyPortfolio Collection Management system provides valuable insights into past auction results, including hammer prices and selling prices with fees for specific artworks. For additional guidance, you can also schedule a consultation with an appraiser for further advice. At MyArtBroker, we offer complimentary valuations to help you understand your artwork's value. Get in touch with us to speak with one of our specialists.

A painting by artist Bob Dylan, depicting an all-American gas station. It also shows a burger joint, advertising cheeseburgers and rootbeer. An American flag si atop the building.Nowhere and Everywhere © Bob Dylan 2017

How Do You Authenticate a Bob Dylan Print?

Authenticating your print before placing it on the market is essential. Key elements to verify include the edition number, signature, and style, followed by thorough provenance research. A clear paper trail, such as original invoices, certificates of authenticity, or exhibition records, is crucial for both public and private markets, as it establishes provenance and enhances your print’s value. Given the growing market for forgeries and reproductions, consulting an expert Dylan’s artwork can provide valuable guidance in understanding and validating your documentation.

Selling your artwork with MyArtBroker offers an unparalleled level of confidence and ease. Our team of experts handles research, authentication, and condition checks, while connecting you to a vast network of buyers, ensuring a seamless and straightforward sales process.

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Has Your Bob Dylan Print Been Kept In Good Condition?

The condition of your artwork is a crucial factor in determining its value, especially in the print market. When listing your print for sale, such as at an auction, if a similar edition by the same artist is also available, the print in better condition will typically command a higher price. To maintain your artwork's condition, practice proper handling, such as using clean hands or cotton gloves. Store artworks in a dry, temperature-controlled environment, mounted on acid-free paper and displayed behind UV-protective glass. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and extreme humidity or temperatures, as these can cause irreversible damage.

Regularly checking your print for signs of deterioration is essential. If any issues arise, consulting a professional conservator for cleaning or restoration is recommended, as taking preventive measures is always better than addressing damage later. While prints may naturally show wear over time, professional restoration can help maintain or even enhance their value.

When selling your print via auction, be prepared to cover costs for condition assessments and restoration if required. At MyArtBroker, we provide a verified network of restoration and conservation specialists, and we handle these overhead costs for you, offering a seamless and stress-free selling experience. When deciding where to sell your print, always factor in its condition and consider who will manage these checks to ensure the best outcome for your sale.

For more detailed advice on maintaining and preparing your artwork for sale, explore our comprehensive care and restoration guide. Additionally, visit The Directory to access a curated list of professional services tailored to meet all your print-related needs.

A painting depicting the outside of an eatery that reads 'LUNCHEONETTE'. Worker's and customers are visible through the large windows, and a blue car is parked on the street corner painted on the far right-edge of the painting. A neon-lit sign hangs directly above the parked car and reads “DINER’’.Nighttime In St. Louis © Bob Dylan 2020

When Is the Best Time to Sell My Bob Dylan Print?

Timing is a crucial aspect to consider when preparing to sell your artwork. Pay attention to the art market, recent sales trends, and upcoming exhibitions or events related to the artist, as these factors can boost demand and interest, creating an opportune moment to sell. Staying informed about significant milestones in the artist’s career, such as the release of a new catalogue raisonné, can also drive interest. For Dylan, his musical legacy can play a pivotal role, with renewed interest in his albums or the sale of fan memorabilia at auction potentially spiking demand in his art market.

Recently, Dylan has been spotlighted in a touring exhibition, Bob Dylan: The Art Behind the Legend, which debuted in November 2024 at Westover Gallery in Bournemouth, celebrating his enduring musical and artistic contributions. Similarly, exhibitions featuring rock legends often take place in major cultural hubs; for instance, Las Vegas will host Beyond The Stage: Art By legends Of Rock n' Roll Exhibit in November 2024. Exhibitions like these can provide valuable insights into buyer demographics and regional market dynamics, offering critical information for sellers.

In May 2024, one of Dylan's 1968 abstract paintings fetched an impressive $196,156 (USD) at RR Auction. Timing plays a pivotal role in the art market, with exhibitions and sales often influencing each other, contributing to market trends and shaping demand. High-profile events like these frequently signal potential growth in an artist's market. If you’re considering selling your Dylan print, MyArtBroker can help offering expert advice and transparent guidance to navigate the market confidently. Speak with us today.

A sunset sky over mountains in the distance with an empty highway running through the centre with the desert on both sides and various telephone posts.Highway 3 © Bob Dylan 2015-16

Where Can I Sell My Bob Dylan Print?

When selling a Dylan print, there are several avenues to explore, each offering unique advantages. It's important to take the time to carefully evaluate your options before making a decision.

Selling Via Auction House

Branded auction houses such as Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips are popular choices for selling high-value artwork by blue-chip artists. These establishments have the resources for extensive marketing and curated sales, which attract a network of serious collectors and foster competitive bidding, which can drive prices well above estimates. However, auction sales also come with notable downsides.

One major drawback is the significant buyer's premiums and seller's commission fees, which can eat into profits. For lower-value works, the risk is even greater, as sellers must rely on competitive bidding to push prices beyond estimates - a result that is never guaranteed. If a piece fails to meet its reserve and goes unsold, the seller may face a host of fees, including those for storage, shipping, condition reports, and unsold lots, leaving them with substantial costs despite no sale.

Additionally, auction sales are bound by strict schedules, which can delay the process. For sellers looking to quickly release liquidity, this may not be the best option. Moreover, because prints exist in multiple editions, auction houses may face an oversupply of the same artwork, meaning there’s no guarantee your specific print will be included in the next available sale.

Opting to sell through an independent broker is another viable route. While seller's commission fees are common in private sales facilitated by brokers, these fees can vary and often leave more room for negotiation. The primary advantage of working with a broker is a more personalised experience and access to their extensive art market expertise and established network of collectors, allowing them to connect you with the right buyer for your Dylan print - these are also MyArtBroker's sales specialists.

It’s important to choose a broker with specialised knowledge in the type of art you’re selling. A broker experienced in Contemporary art and familiar with Dylan’s work, like MyArtBroker, will have a broader and more relevant buyer base, increasing the chances of a successful sale.

Typically, this route involves signing a selling contract, so it’s essential to review the terms and conditions carefully to ensure you understand the full scope of the agreement before committing. Researching reputable brokers with a proven track record in Dylan’s market is highly recommended to maximise your selling potential.

Why Sell Your Bob Dylan with MyArtBroker?

A Dedicated Broker

MyArtBroker serves as an online marketplace for private sales, where our specialists act as trusted intermediaries to connect you with the right buyer for a seamless and secure transaction. Unlike traditional methods, we provide a personalised approach that blends the expertise of our specialists with the efficiency of a digital trading floor. Our team manages marketing, negotiation, and transparent valuations based on current FMV, leveraging our extensive network of collectors and deep industry knowledge to match your artwork with the ideal buyer.

After agreeing on a fair and transparent price, we proceed with your sale only when we are confident in achieving the best results, prioritising honesty and credibility throughout the process. We cover the overhead costs typically associated with other sales channels, including marketing, condition reports conducted by our verified network of art professionals, and all logistics, such as shipping.

From a market perspective, MyArtBroker offers faster sales, ensuring that proceeds reach you more quickly than traditional avenues. Throughout the entire process, we provide dedicated support, ensuring you understand each step and feel confident in your transaction.

Our Network

Our global network includes over 30,000 collectors actively buying and selling artworks daily on our Trading Floor, providing real-time access to market data. We collaborate closely with collectors, galleries, and independent experts worldwide to ensure we offer only authentic Dylan works in good condition. This commitment to quality builds buyer trust, which translates into successful sales.

With over 75,000 visitors to our website each month, we keep our audience engaged with updates on new works, auction results, and art market news. Through Edition Magazine, we publish insightful essays covering Dylan’s biography, market trends, and analyses of his artistic style and techniques, offering valuable context for collectors and sellers alike.

If you’re considering selling your Dylan print contact us today, and our team will guide you through every step of the selling process.

Collection Management With MyPortfolio

At MyArtBroker, we strive to simplify the process of collecting, buying, and selling prints. Effective art collection management has become increasingly crucial in today’s digitally driven art market and evolving luxury asset landscape. Our exclusive service, MyPortfolio Collection Management, is designed to help you navigate this dynamic market by tracking your collection’s value and offering real-time insights into market demand, ensuring you are empowered to make informed decisions with ease.

Read our cohesive report to navigate the art market as a seller: A Guide to Selling Prints in the Current Market.

Leah Mentzis

Leah Mentzis, Partnerships Managerleah@myartbroker.com

Interested in buying or selling
Bob Dylan?

Get a valuation