Leonard Cohen notebook sells for $120K, lock of hair for $5K in auction
Leonard Cohen, the late Canadian musician and poet who passed away in November 2016, left behind a treasure trove of personal effects that were put up for sale on Friday. The auction, organized by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles, featured a diverse collection of items that were described as the “largest group of privately held collections” of Cohen’s works.
One of the most coveted items in the auction was a personal composition notebook containing 76 pages of poems and lyrics, which fetched a staggering $120,650 US ($171,400 Cdn). The notebook, dated January 21, 2007, included drafts for several of Cohen’s iconic works, including the song “Treaty” from his 2016 album “You Want it Darker” and the track “It’s Torn” from “Thanks for the Dance”. The notebook also contained unpublished poems, notes, and even bets with Cohen’s former partner, Anjani Thomas.
Other items up for sale included a skeleton key to Cohen’s home in Greece, a locket containing his hair, and a faxed erotic drawing. These items, while not as high-priced as the composition notebook, still fetched above their estimated values. The auction featured items from multiple sources, including Cohen’s long-time friend Aviva Layton, editor Cork Smith, and musician Nancy Bacal.
One of the standout pieces from the auction was a gilded locket containing a lock of Cohen’s hair, which sold for $5,080 US ($7,200 Cdn). Additionally, a key to Cohen’s house in Hydra, where he began his career as a writer and musician in the 1960s, fetched $19,500 US ($27,700 Cdn). Two mezuzahs, traditional Jewish items, sold for $7,800 ($11,000 Cdn), and a faxed explicit digital artwork from Cohen went for $1,170 US ($1,650 Cdn).
The auction took place amidst legal battles involving Cohen’s children and his former manager, Robert Kory. The children have alleged that Kory was involved in financial malfeasance, leading to a dispute that has put a major Cohen archival project in jeopardy. Despite these challenges, Julien’s Auctions successfully carried out the sale of Cohen’s personal effects, adding to their portfolio of celebrity auctions.
Overall, the auction provided fans and collectors with a unique opportunity to own a piece of Leonard Cohen’s legacy. The items on offer, from personal notebooks to quirky memorabilia, offered a glimpse into the life and creative process of one of the most iconic artists of our time.
