Dylan's Newport guitar to auction through Christie's in December

The electric guitar that Bob Dylan famously played at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 is to be sold through Christie's on December 6 in New York.


Dylan's performance was almost immediately met with boos from the crowd, but it is unsure whether this was due to the sound quality or the music itself - presumably, the latter



The guitar, played during one of the most pivotal moments in music history, will be sold with a modest estimate of $300,000-500,000.

Dylan played the sunburst Fender Stratocaster during Dylan's controversial three-song electric set at the festival, which signalled his shift away from acoustic folk music and toward amplified rock.

Fender Stratocaster 1955
The Fender Stratocaster is one of the most revered instruments in rock



Dylan was famously jeered and booed by the crowd of folk purists who had gathered to hear his trademark sound.

News of the sale emerged in July, with the family who own the guitar coming forward after having it authenticated on the PBS TV show History Detectives. It was reportedly left on a private plane and discovered by pilot Vic Quinto, the current owner's father.

"Dylan left the guitar on the plane. My father passed away years ago, but I've heard from his friends that he asked the management company what to do with it and he heard back, 'We can always get more from Fender.' I've also heard that he called and asked them what to do and nobody ever responded," explained Dawn Peterson.

Bob Dylan live at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965

However, upon hearing the news, Dylan claimed that he still owned the guitar and a lawsuit ensued. The dispute has now been settled, and the winning bidder will receive a bill of sale signed by both Dawn Peterson and Bob Dylan.

"History Detectives felt it was worth $500,000," Peterson told Rolling Stone magazine when the sale was first announced. "I believe it's probably worth more than that. I doubt we'll sell it with any sort of reserve."

Also discovered within the guitar's case were handwritten lyrics, some of which have been estimated at as much as $30,000. They reportedly include early fragments of the songs Just Like a Woman, Medicine Sunday and Temporary Like Achilles.

Paul Fraser Collectibles has this fantastic signed set list from Bob Dylan for sale, which lists some of his most famous songs in his own hand.

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