Dylan's 1963 Martin guitar brings $396,000

DALLAS, Texas (Nov. 12, 2017) – Bob Dylan’s owned and stage-played 1963 Martin guitar, a D-28 acoustic, sold for $396,500 Nov. 11.

The guitar was the very same Dylan played for more than a decade. It is also Dylan's choice guitar during the entire set at George Harrison's 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. The change of ownership took place during a public auction of Entertainment and Music memorabilia held by Heritage Auctions in Dallas.

It is only the second known Dylan guitar ever to go to auction. The winning bidder is requesting to remain anonymous.

Martin Guitar Among Dylan's "Favorites"

Bob Dylan's 1963 Martin guitar, sold for $396,000 during a Nov. 11, 2017 auction. (All photo photos courtesy Heritage Auctions)

“It was one of his favorite instruments,” said Larry Cragg, the seller and Dylan’s longtime guitar

technician who nicknamed the guitar “Bob” in honor of its famous owner. “It’s been a pleasure owning this incredible piece of music history, but the time is right for it to find a new owner who will appreciate it as much as Bob and I did.”

The winning bidder will receive not only the guitar in its original case, but also the original 1977 purchase receipt stating, “Bought from Bob Dylan, Martin D-28 #196405 and case for $500.00.”

Since purchasing the guitar directly from Dylan, Cragg stored the guitar, with its strings loosened, in a humidity-controlled environment. To this day, Dylan was the last musician to have played the guitar since 1977.

Dylan owned and played the guitar for at least a decade spanning the late 1960s through the late 1970s. It was his preferred instrument during George Harrison’s historic Concert for Bangladesh.

The guitar is at the center of Dylan's mini-set. The song choices including "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," "It Takes a Lot to Laugh," "It Takes a Train to Cry," and "Blowin' in the Wind." He performed alongside Harrison, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Ringo Starr and other notable musicians.

Enjoy a clip of Bob Dylan and George Harrison rehearsing ahead of the Concert for Bangladesh, with the guitar front and center...

Additional highlights of this recent auction include:

• John Lennon's personal stereo "Butcher Cover" prototype with his original artwork on the blank back and signatures of Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr on the front. Sold for $125,000.

• Extremely scarce window card concert poster promoting Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps performing at the Abilene City Hall in Abilene, Texas on Nov. 16, 1959. It is one of only two posters known to exist. Sold for $32,500.

• Concert poster printed on card tock with Dayglo colors promoting "The Biggest Show of Stars for 1961 Spring Edition" concert to take place in Topeka, Kansas on Wed., April 26, 1961. At least 10 acts are promoted, including Fats Domino, Chubby Checker, Bo Diddley, and The Shirelles. Note, admission was $2.50 in advance and $3 at the door. Sold $25,000.

• A 14K gold "TCB" necklace custom-made and purchased by Elvis Presley, one of the first 12 "TCB" charms in the shape of a lightning bolt with the letters TCB (Signifying Elvis' motto- Taking Care of Business). Sold for $12,500.

• Indian-style embroidered vest, circa 1967-70, owned and worn by Jimi Hendrix. Features three raised gold-sequin and multicolored metallic thread elephants, one on each breast and one on the back. Sold for $9,375.

Furthermore, view more lots in this auction>>>

For more information and to view the calendar of upcoming auctions through Heritage Auctions, visit www.ha.com.

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