Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer-songwriter who became an icon of reggae music, and his music continues to inspire people around the world.
Over the years, many pieces of Bob Marley memorabilia have been sold at auction, and in this blog post, we explore ten of the most interesting and valuable items of Bob Marley memorabilia to sell at auction.
1. Bob Marley's Guitar:
In 2003, one of Bob Marley's acoustic guitars was sold at auction for $71,700. The guitar was a 1975 Ovation 1612-4 Custom Balladeer and was used by Marley during the 1970s.
2. Handwritten Lyrics:
In 2014, a set of handwritten lyrics for the song "No Woman, No Cry" sold at auction for $250,000. The lyrics were written by Bob Marley and were accompanied by a letter of authenticity from his wife, Rita Marley.
3. Stage Worn Shirt:
A stage-worn shirt from Bob Marley's concert in Pittsburgh in 1980 was sold at auction in 2010 for $15,000. The shirt was signed by Marley and had been given to a fan by one of his crew members.
4. Personal Passport:
In 2006, Bob Marley's personal passport was sold at auction for $17,000. The passport contained stamps from various countries he had visited, including the United Kingdom and the United States.
5. Handwritten Letters:
In 2017, a collection of handwritten letters from Bob Marley to his friend, music journalist Roger Steffens, sold at auction for $30,000. The letters were written in the 1970s and offered a glimpse into Marley's personal life and thoughts on music.
6. Studio Used Microphone:
In 2018, a Shure SM7B microphone that had been used by Bob Marley in the studio sold at auction for $17,550. The microphone had been used to record many of Marley's classic tracks.
7. Rastafarian Flag:
In 2013, a Rastafarian flag that had been owned by Bob Marley was sold at auction for $10,000. The flag had been given to a friend of Marley's and was signed by him.
8. Gold Record:
In 2019, a gold record for Bob Marley's album "Survival" sold at auction for $22,400. The album was released in 1979 and includes some of Marley's most well-known songs, including "Africa Unite" and "Zimbabwe."
9. Handwritten Setlist:
In 2018, a handwritten setlist from one of Bob Marley's concerts sold at auction for $7,500. The setlist was for a concert in Tokyo in 1979 and included many of his most popular songs.
10. Live Recording:
In 2015, a rare live recording of Bob Marley and the Wailers performing in London in 1975 sold at auction for $26,600. The recording was made by a fan who had snuck a tape recorder into the concert and captured a piece of music history.
These ten pieces of Bob Marley memorabilia offer a glimpse into the life and music of one of the most iconic musicians of the 20th century.
The value of these items not only lies in their monetary worth but also in the cultural significance they hold for fans of Bob Marley and reggae music.
About your Author:
Adrian Roose has over 30 years’ experience covering all aspects of the rare stamp & memorabilia industry during which he has sold over £50m of unique items, helping build collections for Royalty, household name celebrities and 1,000s of collectors around the world.
Adrian was previously a Director at Stanley Gibbons, a Board Member of Stampex, and Executive Director of Paul Fraser Collectibles, PFC Auctions and JustCollecting, prior to founding The Memorabilia Club.