Kurt Cobain self-portrait sold at auction for over €230,000

A hand drawn self-portrait of Kurt Cobain, drawn in 1992, has been sold at auction for $281,000 (€231,730).

The caricature depicts the late Nirvana frontman playing guitar and is captioned: “Kurdt Kobain Rock Star”. The words “I don’t know how to play and I don’t give a hoot!” are handwritten beside the image.

It was drawn while Nirvana were in Singapore in 1992 promoting Nevermind, and had been originally gifted to Jacque Chong, a freelance photographer who was with Cobain at the time.

SOLD for $281,250! A self-portrait caricature by Kurt Cobain playing the guitar, signed on the left of the drawing "Kurdt Kobain Rock Star" and handwritten on the right "I don't know how to play and I don't give a hoot!" Sold now in our Music Icons at https://t.co/TiME89uOXn! pic.twitter.com/jvfHVeyXdQ

— Juliens Auctions (@JuliensAuctions) June 12, 2021

Sold over the weekend by Julien’s Auctions, the original estimate for the drawing was between just $10,000-$20,000. However, after 21 bids, it sold for $281,000.

The drawing was one of a range of other rock 'n' roll memorabilia, including Elton John’s grand piano and Prince’s electric guitar, also sold by Julien’s over the weekend.

A glossy red Yamaha Elton John Signature Series C-1 Baby Grand Piano, signed by the singer and including the matching bench; handwritten lyrics by Bernie Taupin for Sir Elton's 1974 single 'Candle In The Wind'; handwritten letters from Britney Spears to her high school boyfriend and an outfit worn in Cher's music video for the 1989 song 'If I Could Turn Back Time' were also among the items sold.