Bob Dylan’s publisher admits $600 books contained replica autographs

Simon & Schuster has confirmed that recently sold limited edition copies of Bob Dylan’s latest book contained autograph replicas.

Price is $599 (£420) per copy, each copy of The Philosophy of Modern Song was supposedly autographed by the “Blowin’ in the Wind” singer himself. The publisher even included a certificate of authenticity with every order.

When customers received their books on Friday, November 18, some began comparing photos of their copies.

They soon discovered that 17 variations of Dylan’s signatures had been recreated using an autopen, an automatic signature device.

When fans requested a refund, the publisher initially refused, insisting they were in fact autographed.

However, within 48 hours, on Sunday (November 20), Simon & Schuster emailed customers apologizing for the “mistake” and offering them a full refund.

Corresponding diversity, Customers were also told they could keep the copy for free.

The editor later tweeted, “To those who bought this philosophy of modern song limited edition, we would like to apologize.

“As it turns out, the limited edition books contain Bob’s original signature, but in a pen-written replica,” he adds. “We’re addressing that information by providing a prompt refund to every purchaser.”

The Philosophy of Modern Song features Dylan’s commentary on 66 contemporary songs by other artists and is available now.

Most recently, a collection of 42 love letters Dylan handwritten to his high school sweetheart sold for nearly $670,000 (£563,000) at an auction in Boston.