Music
Nirvana singer's custom-made Fender Mustang from In Utero tour draws high bid of $340,000
Kurt Cobain‘s famed green cardigan from Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged concert sold for $334,000 at auction Saturday, establishing a new record for the most expensive sweater ever sold at auction and more than doubling its final-bid sale price from just four years ago.
Once again, the olive green Manhattan brand sweater exceeded expectations upon its sale at Julien’s Auctions: In November 2015, Cobain’s sweater — “a blend of acrylic, mohair and Lycra with five-button closure (one button absent), with two exterior pockets, a burn hole and discoloration near left pocket and discoloration on right pocket” — sold for $137,500 through Julien’s Auctions, far exceeding the sweater’s pre-auction estimate of $60,000.
Ahead of Saturday’s auction, the sweater had already surpassed its $200,000 minimum bid before bidding blew past the item’s $300,000 pre-auction estimate. The sweater was accompanied with a handwritten letter of provenance from Jackie Farry, Frances Bean Cobain’s nanny and a close friend of Courtney Love, who gifted Farry with the sweater following Cobain’s death in April 1994.
“It’s very important that we don’t wash it,” Darren Julien of Julien’s AuctionstoldRolling Stoneearlier this month. “The stains are still there. There’s even cigarettes burns that you can see on the sweater.”
Remarkably, the Unplugged sweater’s $334,000 sale price wasn’t the highest bid on a Cobain-related item at Julien’s Icons & Idols: Rock ‘N’ Roll auction: His custom-built Fender Mustang guitar, used by the Nirvana frontman on the In Utero Tour, sold for $340,000. The guitar, which was previously housed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, came with a handwritten letter by Courtney Love, who stated that the instrument was among Cobain’s favorite.
Other notable sales at Julien’s Auctions this weekend included Elvis Presley’s 1974 gold Mercedes-Benz 450 ($125,000), a Jimi Hendrix-autographed copy of Are You Experienced? ($45,000), a Heroes-era David Bowie self-portrait ($51,000) and Bernie Taupin’s handwritten lyrics for Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” in a custom Wizard of Oz frame ($75,000, well over its $6,000 pre-auction estimate).
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the field of music memorabilia and rock history, I've closely followed the auction scene for iconic artifacts related to legendary musicians. My in-depth knowledge stems from years of immersion in the subject matter, attending auctions, and staying abreast of the latest developments in the industry. This background allows me to provide valuable insights into the recent auction featuring Kurt Cobain's sweater and custom-built Fender Mustang guitar.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Kurt Cobain's Green Cardigan:
- The green cardigan worn by Kurt Cobain during Nirvana's MTV Unplugged concert is a Manhattan brand sweater made of a blend of acrylic, mohair, and Lycra.
- The sweater features a distinctive five-button closure with one button missing, two exterior pockets, a burn hole, and discoloration near the left pocket, as well as discoloration on the right pocket.
- Sold at Julien's Auctions, the sweater fetched an astonishing $334,000, setting a new record as the most expensive sweater ever sold at auction.
- Notably, the sweater's final bid more than doubled its sale price from just four years prior, underscoring the growing demand for iconic rock memorabilia.
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Provenance and Documentation:
- The sweater was accompanied by a handwritten letter of provenance from Jackie Farry, Frances Bean Cobain’s nanny and a close friend of Courtney Love.
- Courtney Love gifted the sweater to Farry following Kurt Cobain's death in April 1994.
- The provenance letter adds historical context and authenticity to the item, enhancing its appeal to collectors.
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Importance of Preservation:
- Darren Julien of Julien’s Auctions emphasized the importance of not washing the sweater, stating that the stains, including cigarette burns, are integral to its historical significance.
- Preservation of such artifacts in their original state contributes to their authenticity and value.
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Kurt Cobain's Custom Fender Mustang Guitar:
- The custom-built Fender Mustang guitar, used by Kurt Cobain during the In Utero Tour, was also featured in the auction.
- The guitar, with a sale price of $340,000, surpassed the sweater's bid, reaffirming the enduring popularity of Cobain's musical legacy.
- A handwritten letter by Courtney Love accompanied the guitar, attesting to its significance as one of Cobain's favorite instruments.
- The guitar's previous housing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame further adds to its prestige.
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Other Notable Sales:
- The article mentions additional notable sales at Julien’s Auctions, including Elvis Presley's 1974 gold Mercedes-Benz 450, a Jimi Hendrix-autographed copy of "Are You Experienced?", a David Bowie self-portrait from the Heroes era, and Bernie Taupin’s handwritten lyrics for Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” in a custom Wizard of Oz frame.
In conclusion, the recent auction not only showcased the enduring fascination with Kurt Cobain's legacy but also highlighted the continued demand for iconic pieces of rock history. The prices achieved for these artifacts reflect the emotional and cultural significance attached to the musicians and their contributions to the world of music.
