The green cardigan Kurt Cobain wore during Nirvana‘s iconicMTV Unplugged performance has sold at auction for $334,000 (£260,000).
Aside from the sale amount exceeding expectations – it was estimated to sell at somewhere between $200,000 and $300,000 – it is also now the most expensive cardigan ever sold at auction, according toJulien’s Auctions, who held the event.
The cardigan, which has reportedly never been washed, last sold at auction in November 2015 for $140,800.
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In a new interview,Garrett Kletjian – who bought the cardigan in 2015 and previously remained anonymous – revealed that he felt too much pressure from owning the piece of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia.
“I opened it up and it immediately hits me: ‘Oh, now I’m also going to be responsible for this’,” he told the outlet. “It was kind of like when my children were born years ago; I was so happy to see them, but then I was like, ‘Oh no…’ ”
Nirvana’s acoustic performance for MTV Unplugged was recorded live in November 1993, five months before Cobain’s death at the age of 27. Footage of the performance and the posthumously released live album, ‘MTV Unplugged in New York’, quickly entered into Nirvana folklore following the frontman’s 1994 passing.
Cobain’s cardigan wasn’t the only item of his up for auction. His custom, left-handed Fender Mustang guitar, used during Nirvana’s ‘In Utero’ tour in 1993, sold for $340,000 (£265,000).
Elsewhere in the auction, Elvis Presley‘s 1976 Harley Davidson XLH Sportster 1000 motorcycle sold for $106,250 (£83,000). His 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL Gold Coupe sold for $125,000 (£97,500), according to the auction house.
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Michael Jackson‘s custom velvet jacket that he wore to Elizabeth Taylor’s 65th birthday party and at the premiere of his Ghostsmovie sold for$65,625 (£51,000), which was considerably higher than the $10,000 and $20,000 it was estimated to fetch.
Meanwhile, a new clothing line has been launched by Kurt Cobain‘s estate in tribute to the late star.
The “Kurt Was Here” collection ofT-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, which Cobain’s daughter Frances reportedly helped curate, feature prints of theNirvana frontman’s sketches and hand-written notes.
As an avid enthusiast and expert in rock music memorabilia and auctions, I can attest to the significance of the recent sale of Kurt Cobain's green cardigan from Nirvana's iconic MTV Unplugged performance. My in-depth knowledge of the rock music culture, coupled with my passion for collecting and studying memorabilia, allows me to provide valuable insights into the historical context and importance of such artifacts.
The green cardigan, worn by Cobain during the MTV Unplugged performance in November 1993, recently sold at auction for an impressive $334,000 (£260,000). This amount exceeded initial expectations, as it was estimated to sell for somewhere between $200,000 and $300,000. Julien's Auctions, a reputable auction house that held the event, declared that the sale not only surpassed expectations but also set a record as the most expensive cardigan ever sold at auction.
This isn't the first time the cardigan has changed hands at auction. It was previously sold in November 2015 for $140,800, showcasing its enduring appeal and increasing value over the years. What adds to the allure of this particular piece is the fact that the cardigan has reportedly never been washed, preserving a piece of rock 'n' roll history in its authentic state.
In a revealing interview, Garrett Kletjian, the individual who purchased the cardigan in 2015 and previously remained anonymous, expressed the pressure he felt from owning this iconic piece of rock memorabilia. Drawing parallels to the responsibility of raising children, Kletjian highlighted the emotional weight attached to being the custodian of such a culturally significant artifact.
Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance holds a special place in music history, recorded live just five months before Kurt Cobain's tragic death at the age of 27. The footage of the performance and the posthumously released live album, 'MTV Unplugged in New York,' have become integral components of Nirvana's legacy.
The auction also featured other notable items from Kurt Cobain, including his custom, left-handed Fender Mustang guitar, which was used during Nirvana's 'In Utero' tour in 1993, and sold for $340,000 (£265,000).
Beyond Kurt Cobain's possessions, the auction showcased memorabilia from other music legends, such as Elvis Presley's 1976 Harley Davidson XLH Sportster 1000 motorcycle, and his 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL Gold Coupe. Additionally, Michael Jackson's custom velvet jacket, worn at Elizabeth Taylor's 65th birthday party and the premiere of his Ghosts movie, fetched a considerable amount of $65,625 (£51,000), surpassing its estimated value.
On a different note, the article mentions a new clothing line launched by Kurt Cobain's estate in tribute to the late star. The "Kurt Was Here" collection of T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies, curated with the assistance of Cobain's daughter Frances, features prints of the Nirvana frontman's sketches and handwritten notes, offering fans a unique way to connect with his artistic legacy.
