Under the Hammer: Top Prices Paid for Bob Dylan at Auction

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.

Dylan’s Amusement Park Alleyway (2016) presents a nostalgic streetscape reminiscent of a seaside boardwalk, complete with a towering Ferris wheel, vintage cars, and storefronts splashed with vibrant signage for arcades and attractions. Evoking a distinctly mid-century American mood, the scene is rendered in Dylan’s signature painterly, expressive style. The work just sold for £55,000 (hammer) at Forum Auctions, placing it among his top ten highest-selling pieces at auction and underscoring the continued momentum and collector interest in Dylan’s visual art.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The complete set of 15 prints captures quintessentialAmerican nostalgia - vintage boardwalks, donut shops, a windmill in wide open rural landscape, and a classic car wash - all iconic scenes that reflect the heart of American identity. With his signature vibrant palette, Dylan distills the spirit and colour of American culture, perfectly aligning with the broader themes of his visual practice. The boxed set appeared at Tate Ward Auctions in March 2025, achieving a strong result of £27,500 and landing among Dylan’s top-selling prints at auction.

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.

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: 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.