More than a decade after the Melvins‘ Kurt Cobain–decorated 1972 Dodge van was listed on eBay, the “Melvan” is headed back to auction. The Kiss illustration that Cobain left on the vehicle, as well as other parts of the van, will be part of Julien’s Auctions’ Music Icons auction, which will take place May 30 and 31 at New York’s Hard Rock Café.
The auctioneers made a video documenting the Melvan’s last ride, including a stop outside of Seattle’s Easy Street Records last month on Record Store Day. Matt Vaughan, who owns the store, is seen in the driver’s seat commenting, “Still smells like stale beer.” Vaughan also recalls meeting Cobain at the Nevermind release party. The clip shows record buyers lined up, checking out the Melvan, which was parked outside the store. The video also shows how much the pieces of the van are expected to fetch at auction.
Julien’s estimates that van panels variously spray-painted with the words “mean machine” and “no talent” could go for between $1,000 and $2,000. The steering wheel, which Cobain drove, is estimated to go for between $2,000 and $4,000. A dashboard sticker of an illustration of the Melvins could attract between $600 and $800. The main event, however, is Cobain’s drawing of Kiss’ four members, which Julien’s expects to go for between $20,000 and $40,000.
“It means a lot to be in here,” Vaughan says in the clip, “to feel the ghost of Kurt right next to me.”
“It would be fantastic if the new owner [of the items] is able to make it available for fans to enjoy,” Giles Moon, who curated the auction for Julien’s, tells Rolling Stone. “Possibly a museum? If not, I’m sure it will find a new home with someone who truly values it.”
In addition to the Melvan panels, Julien’s will be auctioning guitars that belonged to Cobain, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, and others, clothing worn by Elton John, Chappell Roan, and Bob Dylan, among others, and the “Julian Lennon Collection” of John Lennon–related artifacts. Items will be on view in London and New York in May. Full details are on the auction house’s website.
The Melvan was originally listed for auction on eBay in 2012 by seller Ben Berg, who received the vehicle as a gift from the mother of onetime Melvins bassist Matt Lukin around 1992. “I had no idea that Kurt was even affiliated with that van until well after it was in my possession,” he told Rolling Stone. “I was told that the Kiss mural was drawn by Kurt Cobain, and it was done in Sharpie markers that he shoplifted. I was also told that he used to drive the Melvins around to their shows in the area.” He listed the van at $150,000; It ultimately went for $24,701.
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