Bob Dylan apologises for using a machine to autograph ‘hand-signed’ books

Bob Dylan has apologised for using a machine to autograph ‘hand-signed’ books blaming ‘vertigo and the pandemic’ for his decision to do so. 

Calling it an ‘error in judgement’, Bob, 81 issued a public statement to his fans after advertising the books, called The Philosophy Of Modern Song, as ‘hand-signed’.

The book was released in November, with a limited run of 900 ‘hand-signed’ editions which sold for £599 / $599. Copies came with a letter of authenticity from publisher Simon & Schuster.

‘It was an error in judgement’: Bob Dylan has apologised for using a machine to autograph ‘hand-signed’ books blaming ‘vertigo and the pandemic’

It all came to light after fans shared photographs of their books online – and realised they featured identical signatures.

Bob said in a statement on social media: ‘To my fans and followers,

‘I’ve been made aware that there’s some controversy about signatures on some of my recent artwork prints and on a limited-edition of Philosophy Of Modern Song. I’ve hand-signed each and every art print over the years, and there’s never been a problem.

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Look familiar? It all came to light after fans shared photographs of their books online – and realised they featured identical signatures

‘However, in 2019 I had a bad case of vertigo and it continued into the pandemic years. It takes a crew of five working in close quarters with me to help enable these signing sessions, and we could not find a safe and workable way to complete what I needed to do while the virus was raging. 

‘So, during the pandemic, it was impossible to sign anything and the vertigo didn’t help. With contractual deadlines looming, the idea of using an auto-pen was suggested to me, along with the assurance that this kind of thing is done “all the time” in the art and literary worlds.

‘Using a machine was an error in judgment and I want to rectify it immediately. I’m working with Simon & Schuster and my gallery partners to do just that. With my deepest regrets, Bob Dylan.’

I’m sorry: Bob released this statement on social media saying he will rectify the situation

Simon & Schuster, initially refused requests for refunds, assuring buyers that the signatures were legitimate and validated by a ‘letter of authenticity’.

But they have since apologised and offered refunds to disgruntled buyers. 

They wrote on Twitter: ‘As it turns out, the limited edition books do contain Bob’s original signature, but in a penned replica form.’

Now, the validity of Dylan’s signatures on his artworks – which can retail for more than £12,000 (US$14,500) – has been called into question.

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‘We are addressing this immediately’: Simon & Schuster, initially refused requests for refunds, assuring buyers that the signatures were legitimate and validated by a ‘letter of authenticity’ but have now backtracked 

Castle Fine Art, a UK art retailer that sells prints of Dylan’s paintings, said they had been ‘entirely unaware of the use of autopen’.

Only two collections, both released in 2022, were affected, it said in a statement, writing: ‘All other editions were individually hand signed by Bob Dylan himself.’

Buyers who own a machine-signed print will be offered a full refund.  

The autopen was first patented in the USA in 1803. It allowed a machine to replicate a person’s signature.

Former President Barack Obama was the first to use one to sign a bill into law; and the device is said to be commonplace in the art and literature world.

Castle Fine Art, a UK art retailer that sells prints of Dylan’s paintings, said they had been ‘entirely unaware of the use of autopen’