Kurt Cobain’s Levi’s Auction Fetches 40X Over Original Estimate

A pair of Levi’s jeans owned by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain fetched $412,750 at auction last week.

Estimates pegged the patched pair of distressed button-fly jeans as likely to go for $10,000-$20,000. The desirable denim ended up nabbing 39 bids.

More from Sourcing Journal

• Fabrica X's Denim Retail Concept Highlights Supply Chain Innovation

• Levi's Bart Sights on Eureka Lab's Impact

• Levi's Dark Fairytale Collection with Actress Barbie Ferreira

The floral-hemmed jeans are covered in rips and holes, and decorative patch repairs which are believed to have been applied by Babes in Toyland drummer, Lori Barbero, who reportedly gifted the jeans to Cobain, according to Julien’s Auctions. The Levi’s back patch is missing and the brand’s signature red tag has been partially removed.

The jeans were saved by Cobain’s roommate at the Los Angeles rehab clinic where he briefly stayed several days before taking his own life on April 5, 1994.

The grunge icon wore the jeans during several important occasions, including in the music video for the song, “Heart-Shaped Box” and on-stage during a live concert performance at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

Cobain wore them again when he met postmodern literary icon William S. Burroughs in Kansas and while attending the 10th Annual MTV Video Music Awards in 1993 with his wife Courtney Love and daughter Frances Bean. He wore the jeans during a photoshoot with photographer Jesse Frohman. He was last reported wearing them publicly in France on Feb. 12, 1994, during Nirvana’s “In Utero” tour.

The jeans were part of a three-day auction “Played, Worn & Torn: Rock ‘N’ Roll Iconic Guitars and Memorabilia” by Julien’s Auctions. Other items on the block included a yellow argyle cardigan owned by Cobain, Dee Dee Ramone’s Levi’s denim vest and a black and gold reptilian suit worn by Prince.

Denim is gaining clout in the auction world. Last month, a pair of Levi’s dated as old as 1873 sold at auction for $100,000 to an anonymous bidder.

Jeans were also part of “From Me To You,” a recent auction of personal items owned by Japanese designer, streetwear legend and Levi’s collaborator Nigo. The auction was organized by Pharrell’s auction platform, Joopiter.

Vintage Levi’s 501XX Buckle Back Jeans from the 1920s, size 34 x 33, sold for $45,000. The jeans are considered very rare based on its condition and size. A first-edition model Lee cowboy jacket sold for $5,000. A pair of deadstock 1950’s Levi’s 501ZXX Zipper version jeans—with the original paper patch—fetched $14,000.