Bob Dylan issued a rare public apology for using autopen technology to sign artwork and books that were sold as hand-signed items, with some pieces fetching over $17,000.

Photo Credit: Jean-Luc / CC by 2.0

Dylan explained that vertigo in 2019 and subsequent pandemic restrictions made traditional hand-signing sessions impossible, as these typically required five crew members working in close quarters. When faced with contractual deadlines, he accepted advice that using an autopen was common practice in art and literary circles.

"Using a machine was an error in judgment, and I want to rectify it immediately," Dylan stated on Facebook, pledging to work with Simon & Schuster and gallery partners to address the situation.

Simon & Schuster has already offered refunds to customers who purchased the $600 limited edition of "Philosophy of Modern Song" with machine signatures. Castle Galleries, a major distributor of Dylan's art prints, is reaching out to affected collectors to "offer a solution to fully rectify the matter."

This controversy affects artworks and books sold since 2019, and other galleries are expected to announce similar remediation plans for collectors who purchased pieces under the pretense of hand-signed authenticity.

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