Julien’s Auctions, known for their music memorabilia, is launching a new auction of Leonard Cohen memorabilia next month.
This auction is being billed as “the largest group of privately held collections of the legendary poet, singer and songwriter’s archival material and personal effects ever to come to auction.” It includes items owned by Cohen’s collaborator and partner, Anjani Thomas; his longtime friend Aviva Layton; and Viking Press editor Cork Smith and another longtime friend of Cohen’s, editor Nancy Bacal.
A personal composition notebook from 2007 with 76 pages of notes, poems, and drafts is among the items up for auction. It has the highest estimate of the lot, $100,000-$150,00, and it comes from Thomas’ collection.
Also up for auction are a 1963 letter from Hydra, Greece with original drawings; various letters, manuscripts, and poems, both typed and handwritten; Cohen’s “magic writing” fisherman’s cap; various jewelry, including a locket with a lock of Cohen’s hair in it; a key to Cohen’s house in Hyrda; I Ching coins; photographs; a pair of his glasses that Thomas says were his favorites; a signed check; concert passes and badges; a miniature Menorah; candlesticks; evil eye protecors; and more. See a few pictures below, and the full lot here.
Bidding on the auction “Celebrating Leonard Cohen – The Collections of Aviva Layton, Anjani Thomas & More” begins on February 28 at 1 PM EST / 10 AM PST.