November 22, 2005 10:37

Dylan’s university poems auctioned off

One is sold for $78,000 (£45,000) at New York auction

Photo Gallery: Bob Dylan
Photo: Pa Photos

A selection of Bob Dylan’s university poems have been auctioned off

16 pages of poems written by the legend while he was at the University of Minnesota between 1959-1960 were sold to an anonymous bidder, according to Christie’s.

The work, entitled Poems Without Titles, was the first recorded time that the former Robert Zimmerman used the Dylan moniker. The contents of the poems range from his desire to quit smoking, his liaisons with women and show his “witty and coarse sense of humour,”

Christie’s have said it was the highest auction price to date for items associated with the troubadour.

It follows on from the recent acclaim of the Martin Scorsese documentary ‘No Direction Home’ and his five night residency at London‘s Brixton Academy which began on Monday (November 20). At last night's show, he paid tribute to the city, covering 'London Calling' by The Clash as part of his set.