Bob Dylan Sends Apologies To Fans For Faked Signatures

Bob Dylan reached out to those fans who paid $600 to purchase limited-edition copies of his latest book.

Dylan recently released a set of limited-edition copies of his latest book that costs $600 each because it has an autographed signature inside. However, several fans were disappointed upon knowing that it was not an authentic signature but done by an autopen.

The publishers of the book, Simon & Schuster, produced only 900 copies of The Philosophy of Modern Song advertising it that it includes the author’s autograph. The company refused to give a refund but eventually gave in. Recently, Dylan wrote in a post:

“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.

“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.”

The artist also explained that as contractual deadlines approached, the idea of using an autopen was considered. He said:

“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.”