Kurt Cobain signed plectrum sells for $14k
Nirvana had been demoing Nevermind material when this plectrum was signed
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Kurt Cobain’s signed plectrum has sold for a whopping $14,000 and could be the most expensive guitar pick ever sold. The orange-coloured Dunlop Tortex plectrum features a doodle and his name written in black marker.
Kurt Cobain-signed plectrum
The Kurt Cobain signed plectrum sold at auction with Iconic Auctions for $14,678 and the new owner Shaun Ertischek is very happy with their purchase.
“I knew this piece was special when I saw it,” – Shaun Ertischek
“I knew this piece was special when I saw it,” – Shaun Ertischek
Provenance
This orange Dunlop Tortex plectrum was sold on 10 June and was accompanied by provenance that included the details of where and when the plectrum was acquired from Cobain. It was signed by Cobain using his joke ‘Kurdt Kobain’ misspelling, which he often used.
After signing the plectrum and realising it had been rubbed bare, Cobain flipped the pick over and added the Dunlap name along with a doodle of a tortoise and the “Tortex” model name.
The plectrum was acquired on Friday, 6 April 1990. Nirvana had just spent the week demoing Nevermind material at Butch Vig’s Smart Studios.
Cobain plectrum
The most expensive plectrum?
I am no expert on signed plectrums, but this could potentially be one of the most expensive ever sold. I can understand why someone might want it, as Nirvana-era signed memorabilia and stage/studio-used equipment belonging to Cobain are always going to be popular with fans.
The recent Kurt stage smashed Stratocaster sold for $596,900 and a Fender Mustang and a Boss DS-1 pedal that he signed sold for large sums of money. The Mustang sold for $486,400 and the distortion pedal sold for $75,000.
Therefore, a plectrum which is signed must also have value to Nirvana fans and collectors.
$14k is still a huge markup for a single guitar pick, as a pack of 12 will currently set you back around €7.50 *.
Has anyone got a black marker pen I can borrow?
More Information
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- “I knew this piece was special when I saw it,” - Shaun Ertischek: Iconic Auctions
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