Kurt Cobain’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ Fender Mustang Guitar Is Up For First Auction
For the first time, Kurt Cobain’s iconic guitar from Nirvana’s 1991 breakthrough video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit” will be auctioned. The 1969 Lake Placid Blue finish Fender Mustang electric guitar that Cobain slashed at in the video will be auctioned off during Julien’s Auctions’ forthcoming three-day “Music Icons” auction event, which will take place at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York and online, from 20th May to 22nd May. The left-handed guitar’s conservative beginning estimate, according to Julien’s, would be in the $600,000-$800,000 range. The auction will also feature an exclusive NFT by Earnie Bailey, Cobain’s long-time guitar tech, in which he explores the historical significance of the “Spirit” guitar; the NFT’s estimate is $6,000-$8,000.
Cobain’s 1965 Dodge Dart 170 4-door sedan, the only known surviving automobile owned and driven by the late Nirvana singer/guitarist, is also on the auction block. The car, dubbed “Baby Blue,” is expected to sell for between $400,000 and $600,000, with an accompanying NFT from Kurt’s sister, Kim Cobain, who has owned the car for the past 28 years; the roadworthy vehicle comes with the original licence plates and a vehicle title showing Cobain and Courtney Love as owners.
An NFT of Cobain’s owned and worn Fetalini striped short-sleeved sweater used in the “Spirit” video (approx. $6,000-$8,000) will also be auctioned, along with an NFT featuring Kim Cobain’s narration regarding the clothing.
Other items include an NFT with Kim’s narration and a 360-degree digital representation of Cobain’s black canvas Converse Jack Purcell shoes (estimate $2,000-$4,000), Cobain’s personally drawn 1985 Iron Maiden “Killers” skateboard deck (estimate $20,000-$40,000), an original Cobain drawing of Michael Jackson (estimate $40,000-$60,000) as well as Cobain’s all-access pass from Nirvana’s In Utero tour (estimate $1,000- $2,000). His personally owned Pokey bendable toy from Gumby with “Nirvana” written on the side (approx. $2,000-$3,000) and his United Airlines boarding pass for a flight from Seattle to Chicago (est. $400-$600) will also be auctioned.
Julien’s announced that a share of the revenue from the auction of the guitar and a few other Cobain’s objects will benefit the mental health awareness campaign “Kicking the Stigma” in May, in honour of Mental Health Awareness Month.
—Silviya.Y
