Bob Marley’s dreadlock could fetch up to £25,000 at auction
The “impossibly rare” 1.5-inch lock of hair is accompanied by the artist’s signature
A piece of Bob Marley’s dreadlock is currently being sold at auction, and is estimated to receive bids of up to £25,000.
It comes as part of The Memorabilia Auction from JC Auctions, which features 52 rare assorted items including John Wayne’s marriage certificate, an autograph set from the Beatles, and Madonna-owned lingerie.
The 1.5-inch piece of dreadlock is currently up for bidding at £5,000, but expects to hit anywhere between £20,000 - £25,000 when the auction closes tomorrow (April 9).
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The lock of hair was reportedly acquired in June 1978 when Marley was filming an episode of Top of the Pops at the BBC’s Television Centre in London.
The consignor, who was a teenager at the time, explained that fans were permitted to get on stage with the artists “back in the day”, so she approached the singer after he finished performing.
“He was chuckling away and I asked if I could take off a piece of his hair. He just kept nodding and chuckling and appeared amused by it so I twisted a piece of his dreadlock off,” she said.
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She added that Marley “of course gave me his autograph as well”, which she’s kept in an autograph album “ever since”. The lot is also accompanied by a Top of the Pops promotional flyer.
The lock of hair is said to be the “first genuine example of Bob Marley’s hair to come up for sale in 20 years”, and is described by the auction house as “impossibly rare”.
Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy were amongst those who also performed alongside Bob Marley and his band, The Wailers, in the June 1978 episode of Top of the Pops.
Check out the auction here.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Associate Digital Editor, follow her on X