Under the Hammer: Top Prices Paid for Bob Dylan at Auction
Hotel At Night © Bob Dylan 2019
MyPortfolio
Though the iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has been producing art since the 1960s, his auction success has been a relatively recent accomplishment. While Dylan works across painting, printing, drawing and sculpture, it is his print series which have received the most attention at auction.
Here, we look to Dylan's top 10 record prices at auction to date.
Abstract nude © Bob Dylan 1960$100,000 for Abstract Nude
When Dylan's Abstract Nude appeared at Julien's Auctions in November 2022, the work fetched an impressive $100,000 (£84,736). The piece was sold at the auction house's Icons & Idols: Rock n' Roll sale, which brought together artworks and memorabilia by the biggest names in rock history. It is hardly surprising, then, that Dylan's most expensive work should be sold here, as the auction united art collectors and music fanatics alike.
Side Tracks: 18th May 1976, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma © Bob Dylan 1976£32,000 for Side Tracks: 18th May 1976, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Dylan's second-most expensive artwork was sold in July 2022 at Roseberys in London. Side Tracks: 18th May 1976, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, an early example of Dylan's fascination with American train tracks, was received with excitement at auction. The giclée print flogged for £32,000, achieving £10,000 more than its top estimate.
Side Tracks: 3rd February 1991, Glasgow, Scotland© Bob Dylan, 2013£32,000 for Side Tracks: 3rd February 1991, Glasgow, Scotland
Continuing the success of the Side Tracks performance at auction, Side Tracks: 3rd February 1991, Glasgow, Scotland appeared at Rosebery's London in November 2023 where it achieved a hammer price of £32,000. Matching the price of the previous year, it is evident that the unique giclée prints have generated demand through their vibrant train track motif.
Endless Highway © Bob Dylan 2016£28,000 for The Beaten Path Complete Collection
Dylan's complete collection of 15 giclée prints from The Beaten Path portfolio went to auction at Bonhams Knightsbridge in June 2024 where they performed spectacularly. Hammering at £28,000, this complete set was comprised of the 10 standard prints, 4 medium-format prints and 1 large print from the 2016 release of this series.
Kentucky Pathway © Bob Dylan 2017£28,000 for The Beaten Path Complete Collection
In the same 2024 Bonhams Rock, Pop & Film sale, The Beaten Path collection was established as one of Dylan's top players. The 2017 edition of the portfolio achieved a hammer price of £28,000 just moments after 2016 edition did, creating two records in the space of two lots. This portfolio included prints such as Abandoned Motel, Eureka, Lighthouse In Maine, Motel In New Mexico and Endless Highway.
Sunflowers © Bob Dylan 2018£22,000 for The Drawn Blank Series
A selected portfolio of 14 prints from Dylan's Drawn Blank 2018 series appeared at Roseberys London Prints & Multiples auction on 30th November 2022. Together, the prints hammered at £22,000 which fell within the pre-sale estimate of £20,000 - £30,000.
Side Tracks © Bob Dylan 2013£22,000 for Side Tracks: 7th June 1989, Birmingham, England
Another unique print from the running edition of 327, Side Tracks: 7 June 1989, Birmingham, England is the 7th highest value work in Bob Dylan's portfolio. One of four Dylan works that appeared in Forum Auctions' Prints And Multiples sale on 24th October 2024, this giclée print hammered for £22,000.
Side Tracks: 14th October 1987, London, England © Bob Dylan 2013£20,000 for Side Tracks: 14th October 1987, London, England
The positive demand for Dylan's Side Tracks prints was once again proven at Roseberys London on 21st November 2024. The Prints & Multiples auction presented two Side Tracks prints - the first being Side Tracks: 14th October 1987, London, England which fetched a hammer price of £20,000.
Side Tracks, 4th May 2002, Brighton England © Bob Dylan 2013£20,000 for Side Tracks: 4th May 2002, Brighton, England
Side Tracks: 4th May 2002, Brighton, England was the second print in the series to appear at Roseberys' 2024 November auction. This unique print matched the previous lot by also achieving a hammer price of £20,000.
Side Tracks: 9th February 1991, London, England © Bob Dylan 2013£20,000 for Side Tracks: 9th February 1991, London, England
The sixth Side Tracks print and second depicting London, Side Tracks: 9th February 1991, London, England rounds up the top ten prices paid for Bob Dylan at auction. Roseberys London saw this slightly more muted colour-way hammer for £20,000 in September 2024, standing to establish Side Tracks as one of Dylan's most popular and desirable prints.
MyPortfolio
