"Machine-Signed Essay" Bob Dylan's Unprecedented Apology

80 Manwon Limited Edition Essay Signature 'Fake Controversy' Surrounding
Bob Dylan "Health Reasons... Deep Regret" Apologizes Using Autopen

Bob Dylan performing in Los Angeles, USA, in January 2012. Photo by AP·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Bob Dylan (81), the American singer-songwriter, has spoken out amid controversy over a "fake signature" on the limited edition of his recently published essay collection. He publicly apologized, explaining that he used a machine to sign due to health reasons.

On the 27th (local time), Dylan posted an apology on social media, stating that he did not personally hand-sign the limited edition of his essay collection The Philosophy of Modern Song, but instead used an autograph machine called an Autopen. The Autopen is a device that signs on behalf of the user and is also used by various government agencies and organizations, including the White House.

Previously, controversy arose over Dylan's signature in this essay collection, with claims that it looked unnatural and fake. The problematic book is a limited edition of 900 copies, priced at $600 (approximately 810,000 KRW). Justin Steffman, an expert in authenticating celebrity signatures, compared images of signatures from 17 limited edition copies and concluded that Dylan's signature on the limited edition was machine-generated.

As consumer complaints spread, the publisher of The Philosophy of Modern Song, Simon & Schuster, eventually acknowledged that the signatures on the limited edition were not authentic and promised refunds.

Regarding this, Dylan expressed "deep regret" and explained that he used the Autopen due to health reasons. He said, "For years, I signed all my artworks by hand, but in 2019, I suffered severe dizziness, which continued during the pandemic. During the pandemic, handwritten signatures were impossible, and the dizziness did not help with that task."

He continued, "As the publishing contract deadline approached, the suggestion to use the Autopen was made. The parties involved said this was common in the arts and literary world." He added, "Using the machine was a mistake in judgment. I want to correct this issue immediately."

The Washington Post (WP) described Dylan's apology as unusual. WP noted, "Dylan has rarely clarified controversies personally in the past," and said, "His public apology this time is a rare occurrence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.