Lost Bob Dylan Draft Found in Book
A page of working lyrics from one of Bob Dylan’s most celebrated songs, found in a friend’s book, is headed to auction.
Vendors for Omega Auctions in England got more than they bargained for when they bought a signed first paperback edition of Allen Ginsberg’s “Ankor Wat.” While the vendor leafed through the book, a torn page with typewritten text fell out: a draft of lyrics to Bob Dylan’s “I’m Not There.” The page has been determined to be a working draft and is now being offered in Omega’s two-day auction of Music Memorabilia & Vinyl Records, closing April 21, with a presale estimate of £20,000 to £40,000 (about $26,800 to $53,600).
The book was inscribed to Sally Grossman, wife and collaborator of Albert Grossman, Dylan’s first manager. After Albert Grossman’s death in 1986, she took over Bearsville Records, the company he founded, and, as he dreamed of doing, transformed a barn on their property into a theater. She is also known for her appearance on the cover of Dylan’s 1965 album Bringing it All Back Home, photographed in the Grossmans’ home, where Dylan worked on the album’s music.
“I’m Not There” was one of over 100 songs that Dylan wrote and recorded with backing group The Band in 1967. The songs were not released until years after the sessions. “I’m Not There” was not officially released until 2007 as part of the soundtrack for the film of the same name, in which six actors play versions of Dylan at different stages in his career. Omega Auctions describes the song as “one of Dylan’s greatest pieces of songwriting.”
The page provides a glimpse into the Nobel laureate’s songwriting process. Most of the words are in lowercase, except for a few emphasized with all capitals, and entire lines are covered in x’s. It's a remarkable discovery that reflects a bit of Dylan’s personal life, as Grossman and Ginsberg were his friends, as well as capturing a snapshot of 1960s counterculture.
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